In the first foreign military operation in Libya since intervention was authorized by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, French fighter jets destroyed military vehicles belonging to Col. Gadhafi in an air raid on Saturday.
A French Defense Ministry official told Reuters tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed in the air raids.
The French engagement in the conflict comes just hours after world leaders agreed on how to implement the U.N. resolution, which gives mandate to employ “all necessary measures” to protect the lives of civilians in Libya.
Speaking at a press conference, France’s defense spokesperson Laurent Teisseire told reporters the military action involves 20 planes at present. France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier will leave for Libya on Sunday, according to the spokesperson.
Other nations are expected to deploy fighter jets, radar planes, and warships to Libya in the following days.
“Our air force will oppose any aggression by Col. Gadhafi against the population of Benghazi,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after the top-level meeting in Paris, CNN reports.
On Friday, Gadhafi’s foreign minister had announced Libya would abide by the ceasefire demanded by the U.N, but that the regime rejected other elements of the resolution. But early Saturday, Gadhafi’s troops started moving into the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, triggering the French mission.
Speaking to the BBC, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Col. Gadhafi has now broken his own ceasefire and that “the time for action has come.”
A French Defense Ministry official told Reuters tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed in the air raids.
The French engagement in the conflict comes just hours after world leaders agreed on how to implement the U.N. resolution, which gives mandate to employ “all necessary measures” to protect the lives of civilians in Libya.
Speaking at a press conference, France’s defense spokesperson Laurent Teisseire told reporters the military action involves 20 planes at present. France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier will leave for Libya on Sunday, according to the spokesperson.
Other nations are expected to deploy fighter jets, radar planes, and warships to Libya in the following days.
“Our air force will oppose any aggression by Col. Gadhafi against the population of Benghazi,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after the top-level meeting in Paris, CNN reports.
On Friday, Gadhafi’s foreign minister had announced Libya would abide by the ceasefire demanded by the U.N, but that the regime rejected other elements of the resolution. But early Saturday, Gadhafi’s troops started moving into the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, triggering the French mission.
Speaking to the BBC, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Col. Gadhafi has now broken his own ceasefire and that “the time for action has come.”
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