NATO chief sets preliminary end of Libya mission on Oct. 31

"We will take a formal decision next week. In the meantime, I will consult closely with the United Nations and the (Libyan) National Transitional Council," Rasmussen told a press conference.

"We agreed that NATO will wind down the operation during quick period, that means until October 31," he said.

However, NATO would continue to monitor the situation in Libya and retain capability to respond to threats against Libyan civilians if needed, during the phasing out period of its mission, he added.

"Now is the time for the Libyan people to take their destiny fully into their own hands. To build a new inclusive Libya, based on democracy and reconciliation, human rights and the rule of law," Rasmussen said.

NATO launched the Operation Unified Protector to carry out air raids, enforce a no-fly zone and maintain an arms embargo over Libya on March 31, under a mandate from the United Nations.

So far, the alliance's aircraft have conducted more than 26,000 air sorties.

The announcement came just one day the NTC fighters took control of Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, the last stronghold of his loyalists, and killed the former Libyan leader.

Rasmussen denied that Gaddafi was a target of NATO's military operations, while the alliance acknowledged that its aircraft bombed a convoy in Sirte on Thursday likely led to Gaddafi's capture.

"As regards Colonel Gaddafi's death, I would expect the new authorities in Libya to live up fully to the basic principles of rule of law, respect human rights, including full transparency," he said.