NATO: U.S. Role in Libya Essential

Reuters reports:

NATO responded on Tuesday to a Congressional threat to cut off funding to the U.S. military involvement in Libya by saying the United States was providing unique assets essential for the success of the mission.

U.S. lawmakers have questioned the legality of continued use of the U.S. military in Libya and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said last week Congress could cut funding for the mission.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said debates were normal in democracies and the alliance would not interfere in these.

"But what I can say is that we are very grateful for the assets that the U.S. is providing and those are unique and essential assets to the success of this mission, " she told a NATO news briefing.