Nato commander says aim is 'to protect' not help rebels

Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard of Canada tells a press conference in Naples the military alliance was in the process of taking over command from the US-led operation in Libya after Nato's 28 members agreed on Sunday to the transition.

He declined to say how long it would take, saying only that it was complex and was still being coordinated.

The Nato commander says the aim was to protect civilians, not help rebels.