NATO decided to launch 24-hour surveillance of Libya with AWACS aircraft, US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder said, adding that there is no need for the introduction of a no-fly zone, as there has been a decrease in Libyan air activity during the weekend.

According to Daalder, constant air surveillance will enable NATO to get “a better picture of what is really going on in this part of the world.”

NATO officials are also discussing other possible steps, including a no-fly zone and helping to enforce the UN-mandated arms embargo on Libya, Daalder said ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers on Thursday and Friday.

Daalder noted that a no-fly zone is one of the options, but that it is unclear how much effect such measure would have on the violence in the country, Reuters reported Monday night.

Introducing a no-fly zone would imply NATO aircraft protecting rebels by forcing Libyan warplanes and helicopters to land.

Libyan air activity has not been a deciding factor in the unrests so far, US official stated, underlining that there has been a decrease in airstrikes over the weekend.

AWACS planes’ flights have so far been providing air surveillance of Libya for about 10 hours daily, as part of regular Mediterranean patrols.

Daalder said that an increase in AWACS’ flights would give NATO a better view of the situation and could be useful in any future effort to enforce the UN arms embargo.

Daalder said that NATO is also considering the possibilities to support humanitarian actions in Libya, including sending NATO ships and planes which would deliver necessary supplies and perform evacuations from the area.