NATO General: With what we have at our disposal, we are doing an excellent job in Libya

NATO General Mark Van Uhm rejected France's criticism and stated that the Alliance is working well in Libya and is protecting civilians.

French Foreign Minister Alain Gippe said NATO needs to do more to neutralize heavy weapons used by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi against opposition forces.

"NATO should fully play its role," he said.

Dutch General Mark Van Uhm believes that the Alliance is successful in enforcing the arms embargo, patrolling the no-fly zone and protecting civilians.

"I think we're doing a great job with what we have," he said.

NATO took over command of operations in Libya from the US on March 31.

The African Union calls on the Libyan rebels for full cooperation

The African Union (AU) today called on the Libyan rebels for \"full cooperation\" after they rejected the organization's proposal for a ceasefire. Due to the preconditions of the Transitional National Council, \"at this time it was not possible to reach an agreement on essential issues for the cessation of hostilities\". ", it was announced after the visit of the presidents of several African countries to Tripoli and Benghazi. The AU delegation "appeals to the Transitional National Council for full cooperation in the interests of Libya and for help in finding and implementing a just and lasting political solution that the Libyan people want with all their might, and the international community supports". The cease-fire is essential, and the AU remains "determined to continue its efforts and fulfill what it is responsible for", the statement reads. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi accepted the ceasefire proposed by the AU, but the Libyan rebels rejected it because Gaddafi's departure from power is their precondition for any negotiations. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday again demanded Gaddafi's departure from power, but she refused to comment on the ceasefire agreement proposed by the AU.\ "We think we need a transition that represents the will of the Libyan people, and the departure of Gaddafi from power and from Libya," Hillary Clinton told reporters in Washington.

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