TwoSevensClash
19th March 2011, 15:51
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971
French military jets have flown reconnaissance missions over "all Libyan territory" on Saturday, French military sources say.
It is believed to be the first sign of intervention since the UN voted on Thursday for a no-fly zone over Libya.
Western and Arab leaders have been meeting in Paris to agree a course of action.
Pro-Gaddafi forces launched an assault on the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi, a BBC journalist witnessed.
However, the Libyan government has denied it is attacking.
'Stop the bombardment' The French Rafale jets took off from their base at Saint-Dizier in eastern France, a military source told the Agence France-Presse news agency.
The planes encountered no problems during the first few hours of their mission, the source said, and the flights will continue for the next several hours.
The rebels' leader has appealed to the international community to stop the bombardment by pro-Gaddafi forces.
The new UN resolution authorised "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians.
Diplomats have told the Reuters news agency that Western air strikes will begin after the summit meeting in Paris.
Reports suggest hundreds of cars packed with people were fleeing the city eastwards as fighting spread.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the world must "speak with one voice" on Libya.
The BBC's Ian Pannell saw the government tanks on a bridge inside Benghazi at around 1030 (0830 GMT).
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said forces loyal to Col Muammar Ghaddafi had to stop attacking rebel areas or face military action.
"Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas," he said on Friday.
I have a feeling Sarkozy and Cameron really wants to distract their people from other problems with imperialist adventures and make a name for themselves for leading successful military ops. That is if its successful
French military jets have flown reconnaissance missions over "all Libyan territory" on Saturday, French military sources say.
It is believed to be the first sign of intervention since the UN voted on Thursday for a no-fly zone over Libya.
Western and Arab leaders have been meeting in Paris to agree a course of action.
Pro-Gaddafi forces launched an assault on the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi, a BBC journalist witnessed.
However, the Libyan government has denied it is attacking.
'Stop the bombardment' The French Rafale jets took off from their base at Saint-Dizier in eastern France, a military source told the Agence France-Presse news agency.
The planes encountered no problems during the first few hours of their mission, the source said, and the flights will continue for the next several hours.
The rebels' leader has appealed to the international community to stop the bombardment by pro-Gaddafi forces.
The new UN resolution authorised "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians.
Diplomats have told the Reuters news agency that Western air strikes will begin after the summit meeting in Paris.
Reports suggest hundreds of cars packed with people were fleeing the city eastwards as fighting spread.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the world must "speak with one voice" on Libya.
The BBC's Ian Pannell saw the government tanks on a bridge inside Benghazi at around 1030 (0830 GMT).
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said forces loyal to Col Muammar Ghaddafi had to stop attacking rebel areas or face military action.
"Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas," he said on Friday.
I have a feeling Sarkozy and Cameron really wants to distract their people from other problems with imperialist adventures and make a name for themselves for leading successful military ops. That is if its successful