Canadian to lead NATO's Libya mission
CBC News
Posted: Mar 25, 2011 11:48 AM ET
Last Updated: Mar 25, 2011 3:09 PM ET
Lt.-Gen. Charles Bouchard of Canada will take over command of the NATO mission in Libya, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.
NATO agreed Thursday to assume responsibility for a no-fly zone over Libya, part of a UN-backed mission to protect civilians from forces loyal to longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Bouchard has been designated to lead NATO's military campaign in Libya, MacKay told a briefing in Ottawa, noting the full scope of the NATO mission is still evolving.
Canadian, Lt.-Gen. Charles Bouchard will take over command of the NATO military campaign in Libya. Canadian PressMacKay said he expected NATO to make the formal announcement shortly. He described Bouchard as a "formidable leader, with tremendous character and ability."
His most recent job was deputy commander of NORAD, reporting to a U.S. general.
Bouchard, a native of Chicoutimi, Que., studied at the University of Manitoba and joined the Armed Forces in 1974, graduating in 1976 as a helicopter pilot. Among his many postings, he once served with the U.S. army at Fort Hood, Texas.
Canada has committed six CF-18s to the Libya operation, and a seventh is in the area as a backup. Two CP-140 Aurora patrol planes sent to help with the mission have arrived in Italy, MacKay said from Ottawa.
In the last 24 hours, two Canadian jets successfully targeted military sites near the besieged coastal city of Misrata, MacKay said.
U.S. President Barack Obama and Defence Secretary Robert Gates have both said that American command of the operations would last only a few days.
U.S. officials say Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached a preliminary agreement on Thursday with her counterparts from Turkey, France and Britain. But Turkey raised last-minute objections, the Washington Post reported.
With files from The Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Keystone XL won't impact oilsands growth, U.S. State Dept. says
- The U.S. State Department says building the northern leg of TransCanada's controversial Keystone XL pipeline won't have a major impact on Alberta's oilsands development —a finding that might make it easier for the White House to approve the controversial project. more »
- EI investigators' manual outlines tips to root out fraud
- CBC News has obtained documents that reveal Service Canada investigators were instructed to carry out exhaustive examinations of 1,200 randomly selected EI claimants, who were collecting regular benefits, or benefits relating to maternity or parental leave, compassionate care, sickness and work sharing. more »
- Obama blames Republicans as 'sequester' talks fail
- U.S. President Barack Obama is urging Republicans to compromise on their fiscal positions, calling a series of massive mandated budget cuts set to kick in just before midnight "arbitrary" and "stupid." more »
- Canadian papal contender's path traced to Quebec roots
- A provocative cardinal hailing from Quebec could be the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church after pope emeritus Benedict XVI officially stepped down Thursday. more »
- B.C. avalanche risk high as Pineapple Express hits coast
- The first Pineapple Express storm of the season has hit B.C.'s South Coast, hiking the avalanche danger rating and setting up conditions that are perfect for a major snow slide. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- Conservative thinkers dominate those who vote for Pope
- To talk of Vatican divisions and factions in the choosing of the next pope misses a central point, David Perlich explains. The last two popes stacked the deck, selecting doctrinal conservatives after their own heart for the College of Cardinals. more »
- Obama blames Republicans as 'sequester' talks fail
- U.S. President Barack Obama is urging Republicans to compromise on their fiscal positions, calling a series of massive mandated budget cuts set to kick in just before midnight "arbitrary" and "stupid." more »
- Venezuelan opposition claims VP lying about Chavez’s health
- Opposition leader Henrique Capriles accused Venezuela's government Friday of repeatedly lying about President Hugo Chavez's condition, and said the truth will be known within days. more »
- Muslims storm Egypt church over woman's rumoured conversion
- Dozens of Muslim residents threw firebombs and rocks at police as they tried to storm a church in southern Egypt in search of a woman suspected of converting to Christianity more »
- How U.S. spending cuts can hurt Canada
- The automatic spending cuts in the U.S., which come into effect today, could have an impact on cross-border trade with Canada as well as contribute to a general economic slowdown. more »
The National
The Current
- Why internet addiction is a controversial diagnosis Mar. 1, 2013 2:33 PM Why some health professionals believe Internet Use Disorder should be recognized in the same way other addictions are.
- Obama blames Republicans as 'sequester' talks fail
- Canadian dies at Cuban resort area
- Ex-PM adviser Tom Flanagan sorry for child-porn comments
- Iceland tests find meat pies contain no meat at all
- Chris Hall: EI reforms, an attack on fraud or the unemployed?
- Conservative thinkers dominate those who vote for Pope
- How U.S. spending cuts can hurt Canada
- Rainy Pineapple Express soaks Vancouver
- 5 mental disorders share genetic links