NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on March 7 that the whole world is watching events in Libya and the wider Middle East.

“Many of our Allies have been evacuating their nationals and helping other people in need. This is a humanitarian crisis on our door-step that concerns us all. The civilian population in Libya is the target of systematic attacks by the regime. So we must remain vigilant,” Rasmussen told a news conference at NATO headquarters.

According to him, NATO strongly condemns the use of force against the Libyan people; the violation of human rights and international humanitarian law is outrageous, NATO said on its official website.

“As stated by the UN Security Council, these widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity,” Rasmussen said, adding that later this week, on Thursday and Friday, NATO defense Ministers will meet. The situation in Libya and the region will be top of the agenda.

Rasmussen went on saying: “Let me be clear. NATO has no intention to intervene in Libya. But as a defense Alliance and a security organization, our job is to conduct prudent planning for any eventuality. We assume that an operational role would be in accordance with and pursuant to a UN Security Council mandate.”