Libya: Qaddhafi Violates Ceasefire, Foreign Forces Mount Attack
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Lankan Ranger
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Where is USAF?
Lankan Ranger
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Thousands flee as fighting rages around Libya's Benghazi
Fighting raged around Libya's rebel stronghold of Benghazi Saturday, with air strikes, tank fire and shelling rocking the Mediterranean city as a rebel warplane went down in flames.
Thousands of people were seen fleeing eastwards as correspondents reported that tanks belonging to forces loyal to Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi entered the city of more than one million people mid-morning.
Tank fire was also heard from the south of Benghazi as rebel fighters ran through the streets flashing V for victory signs and crying "Allahu Akbar", or "God is greatest".
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The southern edge of Benghazi early morning suffered at least two air strikes and sustained shelling, sending thick smoke into the sky, an AFP reporter said.
The warplane, which had been heard flying over the city for several minutes was suddenly spotted with flames coming from the fuselage before it fell on a residential area south of the city.
The pilot could be seen ejecting as the plane spiralled down, sparking celebratory erupted across the city.
However a rebel official reached by telephone acknowledged the plane was one of their Mirage fighter jets and that it had been downed by loyalists.
"Yes, it was one of the insurgents' planes. It was downed by Kadhafi's forces," the official told AFP.
"From what I hear the pilot is dead but I cannot confirm that," he said.
A number of military units defected to the rebellion soon after the revolt broke out.
The two air strikes occurred within 20 minutes of each other, but the planes responsible could not be immediately identified.
A series of small explosions, possibly from Katyusha rockets, also produced at least seven smaller columns of black smoke south of the city.
Very heavy traffic clogged the road eastwards but rebel checkpoints were still manned and fighters screamed defiance against Kadhafi, as a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the city behind them.
A man with a green flag standing in the road shouted, "Kadhafi will die, Kadhafi will die."
At Al-Marj, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Benghazi on the road to Tobruk and the Egyptian border, local residents handed out bags of dates and cartons of milk to the refugees, while queues built up at bakeries and other outlets.
An unidentified helicopter flew overhead but there was no other sign of military activity.
The BBC said its correspondent saw government tanks on a bridge inside Benghazi at around 10:30 am (0830 GMT), while a reporter for Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported heavy artillery fire round about the same time.
The government for its part said its armed forces were under attack west of Benghazi and had responded in self-defence.
"The gangs of Al-Qaeda attacked the units of the Libyan armed forces stationed to the west of Benghazi," a statement carried by the official Jana news agency said, using Tripoli's term for the insurgents.
The statement accused the rebels of using "a helicopter and a fighter jet to bomb the Libyan armed forces in blatant violation of the no-fly zone imposed by the UN Security Council."
France was hosting Saturday what it said would be a "decisive" summit with the European Union, Arab League and African Union, as well as UN chief Ban Ki-moon, on taking UN-sanctioned military action in Libya.
France's ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, said he expected military intervention within hours of the summit.
Libyan government officials insisted Tripoli was abiding by a ceasefire it declared on Friday.
Thousands flee as fighting rages around Libya's Benghazi
Fighting raged around Libya's rebel stronghold of Benghazi Saturday, with air strikes, tank fire and shelling rocking the Mediterranean city as a rebel warplane went down in flames.
Thousands of people were seen fleeing eastwards as correspondents reported that tanks belonging to forces loyal to Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi entered the city of more than one million people mid-morning.
Tank fire was also heard from the south of Benghazi as rebel fighters ran through the streets flashing V for victory signs and crying "Allahu Akbar", or "God is greatest".
Advertisement: Story continues below
The southern edge of Benghazi early morning suffered at least two air strikes and sustained shelling, sending thick smoke into the sky, an AFP reporter said.
The warplane, which had been heard flying over the city for several minutes was suddenly spotted with flames coming from the fuselage before it fell on a residential area south of the city.
The pilot could be seen ejecting as the plane spiralled down, sparking celebratory erupted across the city.
However a rebel official reached by telephone acknowledged the plane was one of their Mirage fighter jets and that it had been downed by loyalists.
"Yes, it was one of the insurgents' planes. It was downed by Kadhafi's forces," the official told AFP.
"From what I hear the pilot is dead but I cannot confirm that," he said.
A number of military units defected to the rebellion soon after the revolt broke out.
The two air strikes occurred within 20 minutes of each other, but the planes responsible could not be immediately identified.
A series of small explosions, possibly from Katyusha rockets, also produced at least seven smaller columns of black smoke south of the city.
Very heavy traffic clogged the road eastwards but rebel checkpoints were still manned and fighters screamed defiance against Kadhafi, as a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the city behind them.
A man with a green flag standing in the road shouted, "Kadhafi will die, Kadhafi will die."
At Al-Marj, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Benghazi on the road to Tobruk and the Egyptian border, local residents handed out bags of dates and cartons of milk to the refugees, while queues built up at bakeries and other outlets.
An unidentified helicopter flew overhead but there was no other sign of military activity.
The BBC said its correspondent saw government tanks on a bridge inside Benghazi at around 10:30 am (0830 GMT), while a reporter for Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported heavy artillery fire round about the same time.
The government for its part said its armed forces were under attack west of Benghazi and had responded in self-defence.
"The gangs of Al-Qaeda attacked the units of the Libyan armed forces stationed to the west of Benghazi," a statement carried by the official Jana news agency said, using Tripoli's term for the insurgents.
The statement accused the rebels of using "a helicopter and a fighter jet to bomb the Libyan armed forces in blatant violation of the no-fly zone imposed by the UN Security Council."
France was hosting Saturday what it said would be a "decisive" summit with the European Union, Arab League and African Union, as well as UN chief Ban Ki-moon, on taking UN-sanctioned military action in Libya.
France's ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, said he expected military intervention within hours of the summit.
Libyan government officials insisted Tripoli was abiding by a ceasefire it declared on Friday.
Thousands flee as fighting rages around Libya's Benghazi
American Eagle
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The Government of Italy late Friday, March 18, 2011 announced that the Italian military has fixed base anti-radar, radar-jamming and related equipment/capability inside Italy that is immediately being employed to block Libyan anti-aircraft missiles otherwise usable against NATO and/or Arab League air forces to be employed to enforce a no fly zone over Libya. This would be an "umbrella" anti-radar process in addition to your excellent inventory of tactical anti-radar equipped US and allied RC-135s, C-130s, F-16s, F-15s, and F-22s.
Your input is most helpful. Thank you very much for sharing your tactical technology awareness with us all.
Your input is most helpful. Thank you very much for sharing your tactical technology awareness with us all.
hembo
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2:46pm
The Libyan government in Tripoli has once again asked the international community to monitor a ceasefire in the country. Moussa Khoussa, the country's foreign minister, says that his government has requested Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, to send international observers.
We announced a ceasefire, which is proof that Libya has responded positively to the decisions of the United Nations.
"And to prove our credibility, we have asked the secretary general of the United Nations to send international observers.
"We also underlined our commitment to respect UN (Security Council) Resolution 1973 in messages to the secretary general and to the members of the Security Council.
"Thus, Libya has fulfilled all of its obligations to the international community."
____
Gaddafi ki to phat gayi!!
The Libyan government in Tripoli has once again asked the international community to monitor a ceasefire in the country. Moussa Khoussa, the country's foreign minister, says that his government has requested Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, to send international observers.
We announced a ceasefire, which is proof that Libya has responded positively to the decisions of the United Nations.
"And to prove our credibility, we have asked the secretary general of the United Nations to send international observers.
"We also underlined our commitment to respect UN (Security Council) Resolution 1973 in messages to the secretary general and to the members of the Security Council.
"Thus, Libya has fulfilled all of its obligations to the international community."
____
Gaddafi ki to phat gayi!!
Unbeliever
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As I and many others suspected the ceasefire declaration by Gadaffi was bogus, they are still attacking the rebels and trying to buy themselves time.
Meanwhile mainly NATO, and some AU, UN and Arab League representatives are in Paris and seem to be putting the final stitches on the political and other planning side, since it is a huge logistical planning task. However it is done with utmost urgency and the intervention is likely to begin today or at the very latest tomorrow sources say.
Meanwhile mainly NATO, and some AU, UN and Arab League representatives are in Paris and seem to be putting the final stitches on the political and other planning side, since it is a huge logistical planning task. However it is done with utmost urgency and the intervention is likely to begin today or at the very latest tomorrow sources say.
American Eagle
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You need to check latest news since late Friday, March 18, and today, Saturday, March 19, Gadhafi's forces have been attacking by land and air Bengazi, so Gadhafi is shown for the umpteenth time to be a liar who is now about killing the people of Bengazi. Nothing Gadhafi says can be trusted. I would submit that with Gadhafi being opposed by the UN, NATO, and the Arab League he has run out of time to issue his fake and false statements.
Lankan Ranger
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RAF Tornado jets to spearhead military action in Libya
Leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the United States and other Western powers are holding urgent talks in Paris today over possible military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis forces.
Frances ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, said he expected military action to begin within hours of the meeting, which follows a UN Security Council resolution that authorises the international community to act to defend civilians in Libya.
Tornados are expected to deploy to the Mediterranean to join the international effort to protect Libyas people from aerial assault by Gaddafis forces.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor Downing Street would last night confirm whether any RAF planes had set off on their mission, codenamed Operation Ellamy, or where they would be based in the Mediterranean.
Mr Cameron yesterday said that Typhoons and Tornados, together with surveillance and air-to-air refuelling craft, would be ready to leave within hours.
This morning Group Capt Peter Rochelle, Commanding Officer at RAF Marham, said crews were ready to play a range of roles from reconnaisssance to shows of force.
Marham squadrons played a leading role in policing the no fly zones imposed over Iraq from the early 1990s to 2003.
The Tornado GR4, equipped with precision weapons, is thought to be among the first assets the UK could use to defend a no-fly zone designed to protect the Libyans from action by forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.
Gaddafis government declared a cease-fire on Friday in a bid to outmanoeuvre Western military intervention. But rebels claimed shells rained down well after the announcement and accused the Libyan leader of lying.
The UN resolution imposes a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace, with aid flights the only exception. It also calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the violence, measures to make it more difficult for foreign mercenaries to get into Libya and a tightening of sanctions.
Loyalist forces were bearing down on Benghazi, home to a million people and had reportedly launched their first air attacks on the town, targeting the airport at Benina.
Col Gaddafi had earlier warned the rebels there that his troops were coming and to expect no mercy.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to host leaders including Angela Merkel of Germany and the Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon are also expected, along with the Qatari emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Saudi and Emirates foreign ministers.
In a joint statement last night, Britain, the US and France - supported by a number of unnamed Arab states - spelt out exactly what was expected from the long-serving Libyan dictator.
Speaking in the White House after conferring with congressional leaders yesterday, US President Barack Obama stressed that Britain, France and the Arab League would take a leadership role in enforcing the no-fly zone and said that there would be no use of US ground troops in Libya.
While he did not say what forces the US would be committing to the operation, he suggested some American military assets would be deployed in an enabling role in support of the Europeans.
We will provide the unique capabilities that we can bring to bear to stop the violence against civilians, including enabling our European allies and Arab partners to effectively enforce a no-fly zone, he said.
David Cameron insisted Libya would not be another Iraq and there would be no foreign occupation.
The central purpose of all this is clear: to end the violence, protect civilians and allow the people of Libya to determine their own future, free from the brutality inflicted by the Gaddafi regime, he told the Scottish Conservative conference in Perth.
Britain was committing itself to military action at a level that matches our resources, in alliance with other countries, with the full authority of the United Nations Security Council and in accordance with international law.
RAF Marham Tornado jets to spearhead military action in Libya - News - Eastern Daily Press
Leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the United States and other Western powers are holding urgent talks in Paris today over possible military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis forces.
Frances ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, said he expected military action to begin within hours of the meeting, which follows a UN Security Council resolution that authorises the international community to act to defend civilians in Libya.
Tornados are expected to deploy to the Mediterranean to join the international effort to protect Libyas people from aerial assault by Gaddafis forces.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor Downing Street would last night confirm whether any RAF planes had set off on their mission, codenamed Operation Ellamy, or where they would be based in the Mediterranean.
Mr Cameron yesterday said that Typhoons and Tornados, together with surveillance and air-to-air refuelling craft, would be ready to leave within hours.
This morning Group Capt Peter Rochelle, Commanding Officer at RAF Marham, said crews were ready to play a range of roles from reconnaisssance to shows of force.
Marham squadrons played a leading role in policing the no fly zones imposed over Iraq from the early 1990s to 2003.
The Tornado GR4, equipped with precision weapons, is thought to be among the first assets the UK could use to defend a no-fly zone designed to protect the Libyans from action by forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.
Gaddafis government declared a cease-fire on Friday in a bid to outmanoeuvre Western military intervention. But rebels claimed shells rained down well after the announcement and accused the Libyan leader of lying.
The UN resolution imposes a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace, with aid flights the only exception. It also calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the violence, measures to make it more difficult for foreign mercenaries to get into Libya and a tightening of sanctions.
Loyalist forces were bearing down on Benghazi, home to a million people and had reportedly launched their first air attacks on the town, targeting the airport at Benina.
Col Gaddafi had earlier warned the rebels there that his troops were coming and to expect no mercy.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to host leaders including Angela Merkel of Germany and the Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon are also expected, along with the Qatari emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Saudi and Emirates foreign ministers.
In a joint statement last night, Britain, the US and France - supported by a number of unnamed Arab states - spelt out exactly what was expected from the long-serving Libyan dictator.
Speaking in the White House after conferring with congressional leaders yesterday, US President Barack Obama stressed that Britain, France and the Arab League would take a leadership role in enforcing the no-fly zone and said that there would be no use of US ground troops in Libya.
While he did not say what forces the US would be committing to the operation, he suggested some American military assets would be deployed in an enabling role in support of the Europeans.
We will provide the unique capabilities that we can bring to bear to stop the violence against civilians, including enabling our European allies and Arab partners to effectively enforce a no-fly zone, he said.
David Cameron insisted Libya would not be another Iraq and there would be no foreign occupation.
The central purpose of all this is clear: to end the violence, protect civilians and allow the people of Libya to determine their own future, free from the brutality inflicted by the Gaddafi regime, he told the Scottish Conservative conference in Perth.
Britain was committing itself to military action at a level that matches our resources, in alliance with other countries, with the full authority of the United Nations Security Council and in accordance with international law.
RAF Marham Tornado jets to spearhead military action in Libya - News - Eastern Daily Press
500
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One Libyan tribe is fighting against another, what USAF supposed to do here?Where is USAF?
hembo
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3:12pm
Six Danish F-16 fighter jets have landed at the US naval air station in Sigonella, Sicily, Lars Skjoldan, a Danish air force spokesman, says. Norway will also be contributing six F-16's to an international military effort in Libya, in line with UN resolution 1973.
[The image below is of an F-16 fighter jet at an air show in Australia in 2009, courtesy GALLO/GETTY]
Six Danish F-16 fighter jets have landed at the US naval air station in Sigonella, Sicily, Lars Skjoldan, a Danish air force spokesman, says. Norway will also be contributing six F-16's to an international military effort in Libya, in line with UN resolution 1973.
[The image below is of an F-16 fighter jet at an air show in Australia in 2009, courtesy GALLO/GETTY]
Lankan Ranger
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Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is expected to confirm Spain's contribution of two air force bases at a summit in Paris to discuss the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya Saturday.
The no-fly zone resolution was passed early Friday at the U.N. Security Council.
Spain, which already has a patrol boat and a submarine stationed off the coast of Libya, offered NATO two air-force bases on Friday in the south of the country for any military operation against the north African country.
This Saturday's meeting in Paris is hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and will be attended by British Prime Minister David Cameron, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, representatives of the Arab League and the African Union as well as the leaders of UAE and Qatar.
The Spanish leader also met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday at his official residence in the Palacio de Moncloa.
In their joint press conference afterwards Zapatero took a tough line against Gadaffi, saying "the international community is not going to allow itself to be deceived by the Libyan regime and is going to verify the (U.N.) resolution with all means in its power."
Both Zapatero and Ban Ki-moon described the U.N. Security Council resolution as "historic," while Ban added he was grateful for Spain's efforts in ending the crisis in Libya.
Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is expected to confirm Spain's contribution of two air force bases at a summit in Paris to discuss the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya Saturday.
The no-fly zone resolution was passed early Friday at the U.N. Security Council.
Spain, which already has a patrol boat and a submarine stationed off the coast of Libya, offered NATO two air-force bases on Friday in the south of the country for any military operation against the north African country.
This Saturday's meeting in Paris is hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and will be attended by British Prime Minister David Cameron, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, representatives of the Arab League and the African Union as well as the leaders of UAE and Qatar.
The Spanish leader also met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday at his official residence in the Palacio de Moncloa.
In their joint press conference afterwards Zapatero took a tough line against Gadaffi, saying "the international community is not going to allow itself to be deceived by the Libyan regime and is going to verify the (U.N.) resolution with all means in its power."
Both Zapatero and Ban Ki-moon described the U.N. Security Council resolution as "historic," while Ban added he was grateful for Spain's efforts in ending the crisis in Libya.
Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya
Lankan Ranger
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LIBYA: PARIS SUMMIT MAPS OUT ARMED INTERVENTION
Paris -The Paris summit has begun to decide on roles and methods for an armed intervention in Libya after the UN resolution. The air raids could commence directly after the summit. Canada, France and Great Britain would carry out the first wave of attacks, joined afterwards by the US and some Arab nations. According to the same sources, the armed intervention by the participating countries would begin between 3:00 and 4:00 pm.
AGI News On - LIBYA: PARIS SUMMIT MAPS OUT ARMED INTERVENTION
Paris -The Paris summit has begun to decide on roles and methods for an armed intervention in Libya after the UN resolution. The air raids could commence directly after the summit. Canada, France and Great Britain would carry out the first wave of attacks, joined afterwards by the US and some Arab nations. According to the same sources, the armed intervention by the participating countries would begin between 3:00 and 4:00 pm.
AGI News On - LIBYA: PARIS SUMMIT MAPS OUT ARMED INTERVENTION
Lankan Ranger
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Several French Rafale fighter jets overflew "all #Libya territory" on reconnaissance missions, a French military source told AFP.
Lankan Ranger
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French planes enter #Libya airspace, Al Arabiya reports, citing military source #nofly
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