Nato must get tougher in Libya

At least 30 people have been killed in the fighting between troops loyal to the regime and rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata over the past few days. Nato and above all the US must take decisive action in Libya, the daily De Volkskrant demands: "The confrontation in Misrata illustrates once more that on the battlefield even the best intentions can have terrible consequences. In principle it's good that Nato wants the keep the level of violence in Libya relatively low - the military intervention is primarily humanitarian in its goals. But if the opponents don't follow this example and shamelessly exploit the leeway this will lead to more rather than fewer victims. ... This is obviously the case in Misrata. The same paradox applies to the White House's stance. It's understandable that President Obama doesn't want to get involved in a third war. ... But if the United States limits itself to a minor role Nato won't have the force or the weapons to establish order in Libya."

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