Fighter Jet Shot Down Above Benghazi (Photos)

A Libyan jet bomber crashes after being shot down in Benghazi on March 19, 2011 as Libya's rebel stronghold came under attack, with at least two air strikes and sustained shelling of the city's south sending thick smoke into the sky. (Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images)

A fighter jet was shot down above the opposition stronghold Benghazi on Saturday morning. The jet was seen spinning out of control and on fire before crashing onto the ground. It is unclear if the jet belongs to Gadhafi’s forces or the rebels. A CNN reporter on the ground said she was told by several opposition fighters that the fighter jet belonged to them, and that they have a few of them at their disposal, but that they are old fighter jets.

Gadhafi’s troops have moved into the city of Benghazi despite a U.N. resolution forbidding any military action against civilians. On Friday, Gadhafi’s foreign minister announced it would abide partly by the U.N. resolution and declared a ceasefire. Media on the ground and eyewitnesses, however, say Gadhafi’s forces have not stopped fighting and instead have moved closer to Benghazi and even into it.

On Saturday, world leaders gather in Paris to discuss how to implement the adopted U.N. resolution that includes a no-fly zone over Libya.

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