BRUSSELS - NATO's top decision-making body decided on Sunday to implement all aspects of the UN resolution on Libya, thus paving the way for the alliance to take over full command of the military operations against Libya from the United States.

NATO Secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced following a special session of NATO ambassadors that "NATO allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council resolution."

Related readings:  NATO poised to take full command of Libya mission  NATO to take Libya mission command soon  NATO takes command of part of Libya operation  NATO to enforce no-fly zone over Libya

"Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack ... NATO will implement all aspects of the UN resolution. Nothing more, nothing less," the NATO chief said.

"We will be acting in close coordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya," Rasmussen said, adding NATO's operations will be implemented "with immediate effect."

"This is a very significant step, which proves NATO's capability to take decisive action," Rasmussen said.

A NATO official said that ambassadors approved on Sunday the airstrike plans against Libyan ground forces to protect civilians, broadening the alliance's previous role of enforcing the no-fly zone and arms embargo.

The latest decision will pave the way for NATO to assume full command of Libya operations from the United States next week, as the latter has been eager to step back and in favor of NATO to take the reins.

However, while disputes over the military command structure involving France, the United States, Britain and Turkey are about to settle down, who will lead politically still remains elusive.

Britain will host an international conference on Libya in London on Tuesday, which is expected to set "the wide political guidance" for the military operation as NATO takes the full military command.