Slovakia’s Defence Minister Ľubomír Galko stated that military intervention in Libya should be only a solution of last resort even if the UN Security Council passes a resolution on establishing a no-fly zone over the country, Galko said at a press conference on March 18, adding that Slovakia will act as a responsible NATO member regardless what comes, the TASR newswire reported.
"We will support all steps leading to the restoration of peace in Libya," the minister said.
When asked whether or not Slovakia will support a potential NATO military strike, State Secretary Robert Ondrejcsák said: "We surely won't be the ones to block any steps of NATO."
The Slovak Army does not have capacities to efficiently help NATO in air attacks, Galko told the Sme daily. He added that Slovakia would support all steps towards restoration of peace and creation of a free, plural society in Libya. Slovakia can guarantee its support to the action only by not vetoing the decisions of the alliance according to the minister, Sme reported, adding that the minister said he said he cannot imagine that Slovakia would not open its skies to its allies.
Defence Ministry spokesman Ivan Rudolf told the TASR newswire on Sunday, March 20: "I can confirm that in the current situation, based on requests received by all NATO-member states, Slovakia isn't considering involving the Slovak Armed Forces directly in the operation."
According to him, the Defence Ministry continues to monitor the situation in Libya closely, while acknowledging the decision made by the international coalition to enforce a UN Security Council Resolution on establishing a no-fly zone over Libya.
Source: TASR, Sme
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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