Libya says UN Security Council resolution on no-fly zone invalid

Libya has called the UN Security Council resolution imposing a no-fly zone over the country as invalid, JANA news agency reported on Sunday citing a statement from the Libyan Foreign Ministry.

The new UN Security Council resolution on Libya was adopted on Thursday; it encompasses a no-fly zone and “all necessary measures” against forces loyal to Libya’s strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

“Libya preserves the right to use military and civil aviation for self-defense, after France violated air space closed for flights,” the ministry said in a statement.

The military operation against the pro-Gaddafi forces involving the United States, Britain, France, Italy and Canada began on Saturday.

The ministry also urged for an immediate session of the UN Security Council in regard to the aggression on behalf of France, Britain and the United States.

“Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya calls for an urgent session of the UN Security Council in connection with the aggression of France, Britain and the united States against Libya, which is an independent country and a member of the United Nations,” the statement said.

Paris has taken the leading role in coordinating the world’s response to the tumult. U.S., British and French military have all launched strikes against Gaddafi.

Around 20 French Rafale and Mirage warplanes were sent to patrol the skies over the city of Benghazi. Since the beginning of the attack, the French aviation has destroyed four government tanks in the neighborhoods of the rebellious city.

U.S. Pentagon reported earlier that a U.S. warship fired 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Gaddafi’s air defense sites. The U.S. operation is named “Odyssey Dawn”.

Libyan television reported citing military officials that at least 50 people were killed and over 150 wounded in military attacks of the coalition forces, adding that many health and education facilities were ruined.

CAIRO, March 20 (RIA Novosti)

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