Germany May Boost Afghanistan Help After Abstaining from Libya Action

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that Germany may take on additional tasks in the war in Afghanistan to make up for NATO members' involvement in possible attacks on Libya after a UN vote yesterday approved a possible no-fly zone.

Merkel's comments came after Germany abstained from voting a United Nations resolution which allowed the use of military force to protect civilians in Libya.

One aspect could be bombing Libyan air defenses to establish a no-fly zone over the country. However the resolution goes further.

Member states are now authorized to take all necessary measures ... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamhariya, including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force.

Other notable abstentions on Thursday were Brazil, China, India and Russia.

We fully endorse the aims of the resolution. Our attitude can't be mixed up with neutrality, she said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

One way Germany could help would be by providing radar flights over Afghanistan by Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, she said.

NATO reconnaissance planes would likely be needed over Libya ahead of possible bombing runs or for other activity.

German officials have previously said they see danger and risk in taking military action.