U.S. expects to hand over leading role in operations in Libya

U.S. will pass on the command of military operations in Libya in a few days, and disputes concerning the future role of NATO will not be a hindrance to this, said the Pentagon chief Robert Gates.

"I would not want to run ahead of the diplomats, but still think that the transfer of command is possible in a few days," said Gates, who is visiting Russia, RIA Novosti reports.

The U.S. administration said that the United States did not start the operation, but joined it at the request of the coalition. From the beginning to the present day the command of the operation was carried out by the U.S. military, but Pentagon officials said earlier that that they would pass it on in several days to either NATO or the United Kingdom and France.