Italy backs NATO takeover of Libya attack

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ROME, March 25 (UPI) -- Italy Friday welcomed the transfer of military operations over Libya to NATO authority.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said, "Yes, absolutely yes," when asked whether he approved of the decision, which is expected to become official Sunday, ANSA reported.

"There will no longer be a coalition of the willing and a NATO one, but only an international coalition led by NATO," an alliance source told ANSA.

NATO already is carrying out a naval blockade to enforce an arms embargo on Libya, and Thursday the two countries that imposed a no-fly zone -- the United States and Britain -- decided to transfer control of that operation as well.

Italy had threatened to pull its air bases out of the conflict unless NATO took command.

The move was opposed by France and Turkey, which argued NATO, already engaged in Afghanistan, should not get involved in another Muslim country.