Libya: we're going home!
(BRUSSELS2) The 4 Mirage 2000Ns followed by the 3 Mirage 2000Ds based in La Sude in Greece have reached French soil today (October 26), announces the General Staff of the French armies. They had been there since May 6 for the former, April 19 for the latter.
Redeployment Fast
Decided upon the death of Colonel Gaddafi and the recapture of Sirte by the forces of the provisional government of the CNT, the "redeployment"has been underway for several days already and is proceeding quickly.
It started with maritime means. The TF 473 which includes the staff embarked on the PCB Thunder (which had taken over from its sister ship the BPC Mistral in September), the airmobile group (Puma, Tiger and Gazelle helicopters) and the RESCO plot (reconnaissance), two frigates (the anti-submarine frigate Montcalm and the air defense frigate Chevalier Paul), a support vessel and a nuclear attack submarine left the area of operations on October 22 to reach Toulon where they remain on “alert”. A few air assets followed. 2 Mirage 2000D and the 4 Mirage F1 CR returned on October 24.
The hunting detachment of La Sude in Greece still has 3 Mirage 2000Ds, it is specified to the General Staff of the armies. In Sigonella, there are 5 Rafale and a Harfang drone left. While refueling (C135F) and reconnaissance (E3F) aircraft remain mobilized but from France. A building (l'aviso Commander Birot) remains engaged in the NATO naval force. But not for long. Because the hour is with the general retreat.
Mission accomplished
« It's finish. We achieved our goals ” estimated the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppé, on France-Inter today The end of the operations has been set for October 31 by NATO. But the meeting of ambassadors scheduled for today to formalize this decision had to be postponed until Friday. The Libyan CNT indeed wants NATO to extend its mission. Which is not quite the feeling of several allies. Alain Juppé confirmed this during a press briefing. " Libya is now liberated and we welcome that. The actual military operation is coming to an end. A transition phase is beginning during which we will consult within the United Nations as well as with our partners in NATO and the European Union and with our interlocutors in the CNT, in order to respond appropriately to the demand of these. The last idea supported is that Qatar take the lead of a coalition of goodwill to take over from NATO on the spot.
A device on alert
In the meantime, part of the device returned to France remains on alert "in case": TF 473, with its staff, the BPC, the airmobile group, a RESCO plot, two frigates and a support building; two Mirage detachments (one of 2000D and the other of 2000N); and an Atlantic 2.