Brussels , Belgium ( CNN ) -- As NATO prepares to take over the Libya mission , alliance officials said Friday they are considering a broader role that goes beyond enforcement of a no-fly zone . After days of acrimonious discussion , NATO officials hailed their decision to take command as swift and historic and vowed a `` seamless '' transition of leadership from the United States to NATO , which could happen as early as Sunday . `` In the course of a single week NATO allies have launched both the arms embargo and the no-fly zone operations , '' said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu . `` This is a clear demonstration of the allies commitment to fulfill their obligations under the U.N. mandate and to show their resolve to do what it takes to protect the people of Libya . '' But whether NATO will assume the role of protecting civilians on the ground -- as mandated by a U.N. Security Council resolution -- remains at issue . The operational heart of the mission could hinge on if and when to intervene with airstrikes when civilians appear to be at risk . A decision on what NATO officials are calling `` no-fly plus '' could come as early as Sunday after a meeting of NATO ambassadors . NATO and U.S. officials say discussions are ongoing to bring the entire mission under NATO control . A senior American administration official said that while countries have agreed NATO will take over the rest of the mission , `` there are a couple more steps in the planning process that will need to be taken . '' A senior U.S. defense official said that NATO 's announcement `` has not caused any change to our operations . '' `` They 're just taking over an operation that 's for the most part , already established , '' the official explained . Beyond that , tense exchanges are also expected at a summit in London next week , where officials will try to lay out how far they are willing to go militarily against Moammar Gadhafi . `` We expect that ministers will set the wide political guidance at next week 's international conference in London to take forward the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 , '' Lungescu said . The main question , the officials said , is whether NATO forces should attack Gadhafi 's military as part of the mission to protect civilians . The Turkish contingent is arguing for the most limited interpretation of what is allowed under the U.N. resolution . `` The tricky question is when you have a situation where his forces are advancing on some positions rebels hold , do you hit ? '' a senior U.S. official asked . `` If there are forces that are trying to get through rebel forces to kill people , there are some in the alliance like the Turks who said , 'we did n't sign up for that . ' There are those like the French who are saying , 'of course we did . '' The U.S. official said the Obama administration 's interpretation is to do whatever is required to protect civilians . In the rush to quickly protect civilians from Gadhafi 's forces closing on Benghazi , the sources said that some countries and Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa might have not fully understood what `` any means necessary '' meant . Officials and diplomats said they are confident the rules of engagement can be worked out over the weekend before NATO takes command . `` Let 's just give it a day or two and see where things stand , '' the senior defense official said . Overall NATO command will be based in Naples , Italy , but Turkey has agreed to allow a sub-command stationed at an airbase in Izmir , Turkey . NATO is already supervising naval embargo operations from Naples . The alliance said Friday that Canadian Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard , stationed in Naples , will take the lead for the Libya mission . The Turkish air component will help give NATO the credibility it seeks in taking military action against a Muslim nation . The tone of mission , however , already seems to have shifted , with NATO commanders attempting to enforce the U.N. resolution to the letter of the law . `` No-fly zones are impartial , there is no one authorized to fly within that zone , '' said Group Captain Geoffrey Booth of NATO 's Air Force Command . `` It is not necessarily pro-Gadhafi or anti-Gadhafi forces . It 's the impartial enforcement in line with the ( resolution ) . '' CNN 's Chris Lawrence and Elise Labott contributed to this report .
NATO is assuming control of the Libya mission . It is considering whether to go beyond enforcement of the no - fly zone . At issue is whether the alliance will assume the role of protecting civilians on the ground .