NATO's Rasmussen, Erdogan discuss Libya truce prospects

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen yesterday held talks with Turkish leaders in Ankara to discuss prospects for a cease-fire in Libya in line with a UN Security Council resolution aimed at protecting civilians in the country, officials said. Apart from NATO's Libya operation, Rasmussen also was in Ankara to discuss the strategic missile shield issue before this June's meeting of alliance member foreign ministers. Rasmussen's first stop was Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office for a meeting, with Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also attending. Erdogan stressed during the meeting that the will of the Libyan people should be respected. Erdogan also asked the alliance to act carefully towards civilians. Afterwards, Rasmussen held separate talks with Davutoglu. In a statement after that meeting, Davutoglu said the Turkish side underlined the importance of Libya's territorial integrity, ensuring the safety of the Libyan people, putting an end to the killing of civilians, and bringing normality to Libya.