Last week, U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, commander of NATO's military forces, recommended that NATO wrap up its mission in Libya by October 31. NATO ministers gave preliminary approval to that plan.
But Panetta said at a news conference during his visit to Japan Tuesday that the National Transitional Council -- Libya's new government -- wants NATO to stick around.
"I noticed today that there were comments from some of the Libya leadership asking that NATO continue its mission during this interim as they are trying to establish some of their governance," Panetta said.
He said he would leave such decisions up to NATO while the United States looks at its long-term relations with Libya's military.
"What I would do at this point is leave the decision as to future security involvement in the hands of NATO and then beyond that, that will give us a basis on which to determine whether there is an additional role that we can play."
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