Nato hampered by sharp divisions in quest for air strikes strategy

Turkish opposition is blocking the alliance from approving a strategy and unity was further called into question at the European Union, as Germany questioned the wisdom of the operation altogether.

The United Nations-backed air strikes mounted so far against Col Gaddafi’s forces by Britain, France and the United States outside of their Nato roles also drew scathing criticism from Russia, a nation with which the alliance would like close strategic cooperation.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said: “The UN Security Council resolution is flawed, it allows everything and is reminiscent of a medieval call for a crusade. In fact, it allows intervention in a sovereign state.”

Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said support was possible but only if Nato’s operation does not turn into an occupation.

“Nato should only enter Libya to determine that Libya belongs to Libyans and not to distribute its natural resources and richness to others,” Mr Erdogan said.

Diplomats said Turkey had been angered by its exclusion from an emergency summit on Saturday in Paris organised by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at which the 22 participants agreed to launch armed action against Gaddafi’s military.

Nato’s participation in any military action against Libya would require the approval of all 28 Nato members, but a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman denied it was grounding Nato.

“Turkey is not blocking Nato, Turkey has been contributing to the preparations with a positive approach since the beginning,” he said.

The Nato diplomats said the North Atlantic Council, Nato’s top decision-making body, would again discuss the no-fly plan when envoys meet in Brussels.

Even if such an order is adopted, it will require several more days before aircraft under Nato command start flying missions over Libya.

The order also is likely to restrict Nato’s air forces to making sure there are no unauthorised flights over Libya, with no mention of attacks on ground targets.