NATO to take full command of Libya mission in days

BRUSSELS: NATO must have complete control of military operations in Libya "in a few days," but a spokesman for the alliance sees no military solution to the crisis and hopes for a political settlement.

NATO agreed on Sunday to take over all operations in Libya, with the 28-nation alliance in charge of air strikes that have targeted military infrastructure of Muammar Gaddafi and a zone of exclusion air and arms embargo.

France and Britain on Monday called for supporters of Gaddafi drop before it was "too late" and has asked Libyan opposition to join a political process to pave the way for his departure .

"Nations transition is underway. Assign assets to the authority of NATO as we speak," spokesman for the NATO chief Oana Lungescu at a news conference Monday.

"This transition is not instantaneous. It is a gradual transition should take place over a couple of days."

NATO officials said the plan included a 90-day operation, but they said the timing will depend on the United Nations.

"This is for 90 days, but it does not mean it is limited to 90 days," said an official. "It is the United Nations to tell us how long they want for us to do. "

Lungescu said that NATO hopes that the mission would be as short as possible.

"It is clear to everyone that there is no purely military solution to the crisis in Libya. What we hope is that there will be a cessation of violence and there will be a solution peaceful solution to this crisis and a transition to democracy, which is what people want from Libya.