Nato jets have taken control of aerial operations in Libya to enforce the no-fly zone, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.

“Nato allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the UN Security Council resolution. It will implement all aspects of the UN resolution. Nothing more, nothing less,” he added.

The alliance’s operational headquarters in Naples will coordinate the radar surveillance planes, aerial refuelling tankers, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters needed to maintain the operation.

The UN Security Council had imposed a no-fly zone over Libya allowing all necessary measures, which was jointly conducted by the US, UK and France, to protect civilians from attacks by troops loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.