Does Libya mission need ground troops after all?

The deployment of foreign troops on the ground in Libya could boost the NATO-led mission to protect civilians, though opponents of such a scenario from within the coalition may be difficult to convince, leading analysts say.

On Tuesday the European Union revealed that it would be prepared to launch a military operation for humanitarian assistance in the war-torn North African country if it is supported by the United Nations.

The mission, featuring "definitely less than 1,000" troops, would "contribute to the safe movement and evacuation of displaced persons" and support humanitarian agencies in their activities, The Council of the European Union said in a statement.

Separately, Britain, France and Italy also confirmed they would be sending military officers to Libya to advise the rebels, though French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet ruled out sending ground troops to fight alongside them.

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Japan Nuclear Plant Operator to Pay Damages

Japan's government on Friday ordered Tokyo Electric Power Company to begin paying provisional compensation to nearly 50,000 families who lived near the damaged Fukushima-1 nuclear plant.

Industry Minister Banri Kaieda says he wants the company to quickly hand out the payments.

Kaieda says the money is meant to assist with short-term living expenses for those who had to quickly evacuate with only the most basic of necessities.

Tokyo Electric president Masataka Shimizu announced families within a radius of 30 kilometers from the nuclear plant will get one million yen - which is about $12,000 - while single-member households will received 75 percent of that amount.

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