France says NATO Libya operation coming to an end

PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday the death of toppled Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi meant NATO's military intervention in the North African country had reached its conclusion.

"Clearly the operation is coming to its end," Sarkozy told reporters.

Earlier on Friday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told Europe 1 radio that NATO's military intervention was now over, but he said France would assist the interim authorities in the transition to a democratic government.