U.S. fires tomahawk missiles on Libya

The BBC has reported that French fighters have fired the first shots in enforcing the no-fly zone. Apparently those shots were to prevent loyalist forces from attacking the rebel-held city of Benghazi. The French president, in speaking after a meeting of world leaders in Paris today, said that French places had also flown over all Libyan territory on reconnaissance missions. The BBC also quoted Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as saying that he believes British, French and Canadian aircraft would launch the first airstrikes.

CNN is now reporting that the U.S. military has launched missiles against Gaddafi forces in the western part of the country. According to a Defense Department official, Tripoli and Misrata were targets of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, part of a plan to degrade air defenses. News reports are saying that the Pentagon is calling its actions “Operation Odyssey Dawn”.

VOA wrote of America’s support. U.S. President Barack Obama, who is currently on a 5 day tour of Latin America, spoke to reporters in Brazil Saturday and was quoted as saying, “Our consensus was strong and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected, and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians, our coalition is prepared to act and act with urgency.”

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was at Saturday’s Paris meeting and VOA quoted her, “Now America has unique capabilities, and we will bring them to bear to help our European and Canadian allies and Arab partners stop further violence against civilians, including through the effective implementation of a ‘no-fly’ zone.”

Both Obama and Clinton have reiterated that U.S. troops will not land in Libya. They say that America’s involvement is strictly supportive and will only be for ensuring the no-fly zone.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is saying that the French air force has destroyed Libyan tanks and armoured vehicles. A French defence ministry official said “a number of tanks and armoured vehicles” were destroyed in the region of Benghazi, with initial action focusing on stopping Mr Gaddafi’s forces from advancing on the rebels’ eastern stronghold. The BBC have reported that 20 French planes were involved in this operation. Fox News added AFP has reported the French military has said warplanes have carried out four air strikes.

The NY Times in its latest article has reported on a military briefing which took place Saturday afternoon. A senior American military official told reporters that in the initial strikes, 110 cruise missiles struck 20 air-defense targets around Tripoli and Misrata, the focus being anti-aircraft missile batteries.

CNN has now added that more than 110 Tomahawk missiles were fired from American and British ships and submarines.

Gaddafi had declared a unilateral ceasefire on Friday then turned around and stepped up his efforts to take Benghazi supposedly before western powers could do anything to stop him.

Russia Today – Mar 19/2011 (morning report)

Failed Ceasefire? Air strikes, fighter jet downed in Libya

There are conflicting reports from Libya, where fierce fighting is allegedly underway in the rebels’ main stronghold – the city of Benghazi. But the Libyan authorities claim Gaddafi troops have nothing to do with the attack.

ITN News – Mar 19/2011 (morning report)

Western forces act on Libya

Allied warplanes have gone into action to stop Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces attacking the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2WOyPuQPtY

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