Norway will completely withdraw from the Nato-led operation in Libya by August, the Norwegian Government has said.

The government will also reduce its fighter jet contribution in Libya from six F-16 fighter jets to four, which are involved in patrolling the no-fly zone over Libya.

The decision follows opposition from the leftist faction in the government, the Socialist Left Party, after Nato’s extension of the mission until the end of September.

Defence Minister Grete Faremo also said, “Norway has a small air force and cannot maintain a large fighter jet contribution over a long time.”

Norway’s F-16 jets have been used to carry out about 10% of the Nato airstrikes in Libya since 31 March 2011, according to the Associated Press.