NATO says action in Libya won't affect Afghan war

Adm. Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of NATO’s top military body, said after a meeting of the chiefs of staff on Thursday he is "absolutely confident" the alliance will remain engaged in Afghanistan.

NATO Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, from Italy, left, and Russia's Army General Nikolai Makarov address the media on the occasion of the signing of the NATO-Russia Council Consolidated Glossary of Cooperation, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Wednsday. Photo: AP.

NATO’s military chiefs say the continuing intervention in Libya will not distract the alliance from the war in Afghanistan, its foremost priority.

Adm. Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of NATO’s top military body, said after a meeting of the chiefs of staff on Thursday he is “absolutely confident” the alliance will remain engaged in Afghanistan.

The air war in Libya, which started on March 19, shows no sign of abating. Opposition forces and troops loyal to Muammar Qadhafi are locked in a stalemate on the ground.

Meanwhile, the nearly 10—year—long war in Afghanistan is entering a critical stage as NATO starts to hand over security responsibility to Afghan forces. The first U.S. troops are scheduled to start withdrawing in July.