US, Italy discuss ending NATO air war in Libya

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who expressed thanks for Italy's role in the NATO-led operation, said alliance commanders favored pressing on with bombing raids as Moamer Kadhafi's loyalists were still putting up resistance in Sirte.

"We are looking for our commanders to... recommend when they believe that the mission comes to an end," Panetta told reporters after meeting his Italian counterpart, Ignazio La Russa.

"As you know, there's still fighting going on in Sirte. And as long as that continues to be the case, our commanders feel the need for us to maintain our presence."

The Italian defense minister said that both countries shared the same view on the campaign in Libya, launched in March to protect civilians from Kadhafi's forces.

"We have assessed to help the transition in Libya and what to do when the combat in Sirte will be over," he said, according to a translation.

NATO officials have said the alliance would consider providing security assistance and advice to the new leadership in Libya but no such request has been made so far.