NATO has taken over enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya, the general in charge of operations told reporters on Monday at the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples in southern Italy.
"Yesterday NATO aircraft flew the first no-fly zone enforcement over Libya," said General Charles Bouchard, who was appointed on Friday to head the operation codenamed "Operation Unified Protector".
Bouchard added that the broader military mission in Libya was still transitioning to NATO from the Western-led coalition that began attacking Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces on March 19.
NATO officials on Sunday said that the transition would take 48-72 hours.
"The broader the effort the more powerful the message we send to the Libyan people who are desperate for our help," Bouchard said.
"We will be acting in close coordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya," he added.
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