Libya: Qaddhafi Violates Ceasefire, Foreign Forces Mount Attack
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hembo
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hembo
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10:36pm
Vice Admiral William Gortney, the Director of the US Joint Staff, just completed his briefing. He said that US is "the leading edge" of coalition military operations on Libya, which are aimed at preventing further attacks on civilian and opposition targets and also at degrading the Libyan ability to violate a no-fly zone, both as authorised under UN Resolution 1973.
He said that the US had struck more than 20 air defence system targets, mostly on Libya's west coast, including communications and SA-5 (surface-to-air) missile sites, as well as the C-2 architecture that goes with those long range missile sites.
About 110-112 Tomahawk missiles were used during the operation, which was critical to creating conditions to be able to set up a no-fly zone.
He said that US military aircraft were not currently in Libyan air space in this phase of operations, and that the US was using its "unique capabilities to shape the battlespace" before handing over command of operations to other coalition leaders.
Currently, officers with coalition partners are aboard the USS Mount Whitney, from where military operations are being commanded.
He also said that further action will depend on a bomb damage assessment, adding that this could not be done using US Reaper or Predator drones, as they were not being deployed. He anticipated that this would take 6-12 hours.
Vice Admiral William Gortney, the Director of the US Joint Staff, just completed his briefing. He said that US is "the leading edge" of coalition military operations on Libya, which are aimed at preventing further attacks on civilian and opposition targets and also at degrading the Libyan ability to violate a no-fly zone, both as authorised under UN Resolution 1973.
He said that the US had struck more than 20 air defence system targets, mostly on Libya's west coast, including communications and SA-5 (surface-to-air) missile sites, as well as the C-2 architecture that goes with those long range missile sites.
About 110-112 Tomahawk missiles were used during the operation, which was critical to creating conditions to be able to set up a no-fly zone.
He said that US military aircraft were not currently in Libyan air space in this phase of operations, and that the US was using its "unique capabilities to shape the battlespace" before handing over command of operations to other coalition leaders.
Currently, officers with coalition partners are aboard the USS Mount Whitney, from where military operations are being commanded.
He also said that further action will depend on a bomb damage assessment, adding that this could not be done using US Reaper or Predator drones, as they were not being deployed. He anticipated that this would take 6-12 hours.
hembo
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hembo
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David Cameron has given a statement following a meeting of the British government's Cobra emergency committee:
Tonight, British forces are in action over Libya. They are part of an international coalition that has come together to enforce the will of the United Nations and to support the Libyan people.
We have all seen the appalling brutality that Colonel Gaddafi has meted out against his own people. And far from introducing the ceasefire he spoke about, he has actually stepped up the attacks and the brutality that we can all see.
So what we are doing is necessary, it is legal, and it is right.
It is necessary because, with others, we should be trying to prevent him using his military against his own people.
It is legal, because we have the backing of the United Nations Security Council and also of the Arab League and many others.
And it is right because we believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people.
Tonight, of course our thoughts should be with those in our armed services who are putting their lives at risk in order to save the lives of others. They are the bravest of the brave.
But I believe we should all be confident that what we are doing is in a just cause and in our nation's interest.
Tonight, British forces are in action over Libya. They are part of an international coalition that has come together to enforce the will of the United Nations and to support the Libyan people.
We have all seen the appalling brutality that Colonel Gaddafi has meted out against his own people. And far from introducing the ceasefire he spoke about, he has actually stepped up the attacks and the brutality that we can all see.
So what we are doing is necessary, it is legal, and it is right.
It is necessary because, with others, we should be trying to prevent him using his military against his own people.
It is legal, because we have the backing of the United Nations Security Council and also of the Arab League and many others.
And it is right because we believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people.
Tonight, of course our thoughts should be with those in our armed services who are putting their lives at risk in order to save the lives of others. They are the bravest of the brave.
But I believe we should all be confident that what we are doing is in a just cause and in our nation's interest.
hembo
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11:19pm
Libyan state television reports that Muammar Gaddafi is to address the nation on the commencement of military intervention in Libya shortly.
11:14pm
Libyan state media reports that air strikes have taken place in Zuwara, Tripoli, Misurata, Sirte and Benghazi.
11:06pm
Four Al Jazeera journalists have been detained by Libyan authorities in the west of the country.
Lotfi al-Messaoudi (a Tunisian), Ahmed Vall Ould Addin (a Mauritanian), Ammar al-Hamdan (a Norwegian cameraman) and Kamel Atalua (British) were held while working in the west of the country.
Al Jazeera says that the Libyan authorities will be held accountable for the safety, security and well-being of the team, who are being held in Tripoli.
10:55pm
Quotes from Mohammad al-Zawi, the secretary-general of the Libyan Public Congress (Parliament)
I am very sorry and saddened that my country tonight is facing a barbaric and armed attack. Some Western countries are leading a rocket attack in Tripoli and Misurata. An attack that caused some real harm gainst civilians and buildings.
"This barbaric aggression against the Libyan ppl comes while we have announced the ceasefire against the armed militias which are prt of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
"And the attack comes as Libya has announced general and major developments and reforms in the economic and organisational contexts.
"The number of civilians who have been hurt or harmed by this aggression tonight, the number is filling up our hositals, and ambulances are doing their best to save as many lives of civilians as possible.
"This aggression is barbaric and that has no excuse since Libya has already accepted the resolutions of the security council and announced and the armed forces announced a ceasefire and stopped all military operations against the armed militias.
"Furthermore, Libya has requested the presence of international observers on the ground to judge that we did really stop our military operations.
"And instead of sending fact-finding missions to find out what is really happening, some countries have elected for an aggression against Libya.This aggression will not weaken our spirit, and will not convince Libyans to give up to the armed militias who are part of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
"And what you have seen of the masses gathering in different locations to protect them, declaring their allegiance to the leader of the country, is the proof that the Libyan people will not be defeated."
Libyan state television reports that Muammar Gaddafi is to address the nation on the commencement of military intervention in Libya shortly.
11:14pm
Libyan state media reports that air strikes have taken place in Zuwara, Tripoli, Misurata, Sirte and Benghazi.
11:06pm
Four Al Jazeera journalists have been detained by Libyan authorities in the west of the country.
Lotfi al-Messaoudi (a Tunisian), Ahmed Vall Ould Addin (a Mauritanian), Ammar al-Hamdan (a Norwegian cameraman) and Kamel Atalua (British) were held while working in the west of the country.
Al Jazeera says that the Libyan authorities will be held accountable for the safety, security and well-being of the team, who are being held in Tripoli.
10:55pm
Quotes from Mohammad al-Zawi, the secretary-general of the Libyan Public Congress (Parliament)
I am very sorry and saddened that my country tonight is facing a barbaric and armed attack. Some Western countries are leading a rocket attack in Tripoli and Misurata. An attack that caused some real harm gainst civilians and buildings.
"This barbaric aggression against the Libyan ppl comes while we have announced the ceasefire against the armed militias which are prt of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
"And the attack comes as Libya has announced general and major developments and reforms in the economic and organisational contexts.
"The number of civilians who have been hurt or harmed by this aggression tonight, the number is filling up our hositals, and ambulances are doing their best to save as many lives of civilians as possible.
"This aggression is barbaric and that has no excuse since Libya has already accepted the resolutions of the security council and announced and the armed forces announced a ceasefire and stopped all military operations against the armed militias.
"Furthermore, Libya has requested the presence of international observers on the ground to judge that we did really stop our military operations.
"And instead of sending fact-finding missions to find out what is really happening, some countries have elected for an aggression against Libya.This aggression will not weaken our spirit, and will not convince Libyans to give up to the armed militias who are part of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
"And what you have seen of the masses gathering in different locations to protect them, declaring their allegiance to the leader of the country, is the proof that the Libyan people will not be defeated."
The Vicious Kind
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hey,If the West aham aham internal national community is so concerned about the safety of civilians then why not establish a no fly zone ,over waziristan to take out the drones that are killing innocent civilians there.
Seems to be a Classic example of UN double standards.Since it was more of a civil war there should have been a peace keeping mission ,instead of this massive direct military action.
Seems to be a Classic example of UN double standards.Since it was more of a civil war there should have been a peace keeping mission ,instead of this massive direct military action.
hembo
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11:46pm
Muammar Gaddafi has made a short statement via telephone to Libyan state television, saying that these air strikes will cause another "crusade" to be launched, and that the Mediterranean and North Africa have become a battleground.
Gaddafi also said that the arms depots of Libya should be opened to citizens so that they can defend themselves
Muammar Gaddafi has made a short statement via telephone to Libyan state television, saying that these air strikes will cause another "crusade" to be launched, and that the Mediterranean and North Africa have become a battleground.
Gaddafi also said that the arms depots of Libya should be opened to citizens so that they can defend themselves
hembo
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The New York Times has significant behind-the-scenes details from the Paris summit, with claims that France's unilateral decision to strike Libya "angered some of the countries gathered at the summit meeting" – and suggestions that France blocked earlier Nato action.
The implication is that Nicolas Sarkozy wanted the limelight while the Paris summit was under-way.
The New York Times reports:
That news [of French air strikes] came even before the Paris summit meeting adjourned, with President Nicolas Sarkozy announcing that French warplanes had begun reconnaissance missions around Benghazi, and the French military saying that a Rafale jet fighter had destroyed a government tank near there.
Even though the leaders at the Paris summit meeting were united in supporting military action, there were signs of disagreement over how it would proceed.
Two senior Western diplomats said the Paris meeting, which was organized by Mr. Sarkozy, may actually have delayed allied operations to stop Colonel Qaddafi's troops as they were approaching Benghazi. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the matter.
The initial French air sorties, which were not coordinated with other countries, angered some of the countries gathered at the summit meeting, according to a senior NATO-country diplomat. Information about the movement of Qaddafi troops toward Benghazi had been clear on Friday, but France blocked any Nato agreement on airstrikes until the Paris meeting, the diplomat said, suggesting that overflights could have begun Friday night before Mr. Qaddafi's troops reached the city.
The implication is that Nicolas Sarkozy wanted the limelight while the Paris summit was under-way.
The New York Times reports:
That news [of French air strikes] came even before the Paris summit meeting adjourned, with President Nicolas Sarkozy announcing that French warplanes had begun reconnaissance missions around Benghazi, and the French military saying that a Rafale jet fighter had destroyed a government tank near there.
Even though the leaders at the Paris summit meeting were united in supporting military action, there were signs of disagreement over how it would proceed.
Two senior Western diplomats said the Paris meeting, which was organized by Mr. Sarkozy, may actually have delayed allied operations to stop Colonel Qaddafi's troops as they were approaching Benghazi. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the matter.
The initial French air sorties, which were not coordinated with other countries, angered some of the countries gathered at the summit meeting, according to a senior NATO-country diplomat. Information about the movement of Qaddafi troops toward Benghazi had been clear on Friday, but France blocked any Nato agreement on airstrikes until the Paris meeting, the diplomat said, suggesting that overflights could have begun Friday night before Mr. Qaddafi's troops reached the city.
hembo
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Air strikes by Western forces near Libya's city of Misrata have attacked a military airport where Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists are based, two residents have told Reuters, denying reports on Libyan state TV that fuel depots were hit.
The base is 7km (four miles) from the city, which is Libya's third largest and is the last rebel holdout in the west of the country. "The international forces struck Gaddafi battalions in the air military college, but some of the (government) forces fled shortly before the attack," resident Abdulbasset told Reuters by phone.
Another resident said he had heard a loud explosion coming from the direction of the airbase.
The base is 7km (four miles) from the city, which is Libya's third largest and is the last rebel holdout in the west of the country. "The international forces struck Gaddafi battalions in the air military college, but some of the (government) forces fled shortly before the attack," resident Abdulbasset told Reuters by phone.
Another resident said he had heard a loud explosion coming from the direction of the airbase.
hembo
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Russia reacted "with regret" Saturday to the start of international military action in Libya, urging an end to violence on all sides.
It said the United Nations resolution that authorized the use of force had been "hastily adopted."
"We again urge all Libyan sides, as well as the participants of the military operation, to do everything they can to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians and to ensure a speedy cease-fire and an end to violence," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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