NDP Won't Support Libya Mission Extension

There's just more than a month left in the Canadian Forces' mandate to bomb the heck out of Gad- ... umm, we mean, protect civilians.

The NDP says it's time to bring an end to Canada's military involvement in the Libyan war, and that it will vote against an extension once it's brought up in Parliament in September. The Canadian Forces have committed a handful of CF-18 fighter jets and HMCS Charlottetown in addition to support staff to the mission, which is nearing the end of its fifth month with no clear resolution in sight. The NDP's call to end the Forces' involvement comes as senior military brass indicate that the conflict appears more and more likely to end in a stalemate despite continued air strikes on the capital, Tripoli. Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar says it's best to start pursuing diplomatic and political options to forge some sort of peace in Libya, as Moammar Gadhafi has proven that, in addition to being borderline insane, he also has the resolve of a mother bear defending its young.