House of Commons votes to extend mission in Libya

OTTAWA - Members of the House of Commons have voted 294-1 to extend the military mission in Libya until September.  The vote took place Tuesday evening.

The only vote against the motion was cast by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

The federal government also announced earlier in the day that it is committing an extra $2-million of aid to Libya.

Canadian troops have been assisting in the NATO-led mission, enforcing a no fly zone.

In addition to the financial aid, Canada will also recognize the rebels as the official government of Libya.

Canada will begin an "enhanced engagement strategy" to help the national transition council set up a new system of democracy in the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the government will lend its expertise and will be sending ministers to meet with their Libyan counterparts.

"We welcome the efforts of the national transitional council in defining core driving principles through its vision for a democratic Libya and it's blueprint for a post-Gadhafi Libya."

The motion also calls for an international investigation into allegations that Moammar Gadhafi's forces have used sexual violence as a tool of war.

A portion of the aid money will go to victims of those sexual attacks.