NATO is to send an expert mission to Libya to assess its needs as it faces a flow of insurgents from Mali, secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said, according to Belfast Telegraph.

Security experts worry that the al Qaida-linked militants - pushed out of Mali after French military intervention - might be trying to establish a safe haven in Libya.

The mission "will go as soon as possible and, together with the Libyans, identify the areas in which the Libyans think they need advice and areas where we do believe we can add value", Rasmussen said ahead of the opening session of a meeting of NATO defence ministers.

He insisted it will not mean putting boots on the ground in the North African nation. "This is not about deploying troops to Libya. If we are to engage in training activities, such activities could take place outside Libya," he said.

US defence officials have said NATO's experience in training Afghan and Iraqi security forces provides the expertise to do something similar with Libya.

Rasmussen said NATO is planning to co-ordinate with other national and international efforts and he expects a report from the expert group by the end of June, before more definite plans are made.

Libyan leaders have requested help from NATO, the US and other nations. US president Barack Obama broadly indicated that he would support efforts by NATO to aid the Libyans.