Updated

BRUSSELS -- NATO's top official says the 7-month bombing campaign in Libya is a "positive story" that showcased the commitment of the alliance's European allies who conducted most of the airstrikes.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said this was the first time in the alliance's history that European members and Canada, rather than the United States, provided the majority of military assets in such an operation.

He also called for more pooling and sharing of military equipment between the 28 allies at a time of declining defense budgets, saying this will offer "more bang for the buck."

Fogh Rasmussen also defended NATO's plan to set up a missile defense system, saying some countries already have acquired offensive missiles that can hit NATO territory.