Venezuela’s Chavez condemns Libya airstrikes
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez demands an end to the international military operation in Libya where he says the US and its European partners are pursuing their own goals.
The military intervention in Libya came on Saturday following an emergency summit in Paris called by President Nicolas Sarkozy. The western warplanes and missiles are targeting Col. Gaddafi’s forces outside the rebel-held eastern city of Benghazi.
Meanwhile, Libyan state television reports massive airstrikes on civilian installations in Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi and Zawiya.
Missiles strike Tripoli
A number of injured civilians are being moved out of the Libyan capital Tripoli following reported western missile attacks on the city and also on oil reservoirs in Misrata.
Earlier in the day US naval ships in the Mediterranean fired several Tomahawk missiles at Libyan air defense installations.
US missiles hit targets in Libya
US military officials have confirmed the first American tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired at targets inside Libya from ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
The move is the first direct U.S. involvement in the international operation, meant to end attacks by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on opposition strongholds and enforce a U.N.-backed no-fly zone.
French jets knock out 4 Gaddafi tanks
French warplanes destroyed four Libyan tanks in the eastern city of Benghazi, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday evening.
The attack came shortly after a first strike on Libyan territory by France, whose leaders say they are pursuing a two-pronged goal of protecting civilians against Gaddafi’s army and enforcing a 150 km no-fly zone around Benghazi.
The decision to intervene militarily in the Libyan conflict was made by representatives of the EU, the Arab League, the US, Canada and other countries who were meeting in Paris on Saturday.
Russia worried by French airstrikes in Libya
Russia is worried by the news of French warplanes destroying four Libyan tanks in a strike on Saturday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich urged the sides in the Libyan conflict and participants in an international military operation to seek an early ceasefire and avoid unnecessary civilian deaths. Russia also demands security for foreign diplomatic missions and their staff.
War on Libya ‘regrettable’ – Russia
Russia deeply regrets the Western decision to go to war with the Gaddafi regime in Libya.
A diplomatic spokesman said in Moscow Saturday that this hasty action on the Libya resolution of the UN Security Council must be pursued in a way that does not harm foreign diplomats or Libyan civilians who find themselves in the war zone.
He also reiterated the need for a solution that is achieved through peaceful dialogue between the Libyan sides.
French warplanes in action over Libya
The French military says its operation to enforce a no-fly-zone and protect civilians in Libya has gone ahead with a successful air strike to destroy a military vehicle of the Gaddafi regime. The vehicle was considered a danger to the civilian population in the vicinity.
The development follows a decision at a Paris summit of leading Western nations, the European Union and the Arab League to take joint military action against Muammar Gaddafi.
Gaddafi faces Western-led war
A Paris summit of leading Western powers, the European Union and the Arab League has okayed joint military action to force Muammar Gaddafi to comply with the resolution of the UN Security Council that tells him to stop violence against the Libyan people.
According to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, French war jets are already flying missions to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya and take out Gaddafi armour.
Libyans in human shields
A source within the Libyan military has told the Voice of Russia that people across Libya are forming human shields to protect airfields, army bases and air defence installations.
The officer says they are determined to mount stiff resistance to any aggression by Western powers.
Libya overflown by French jets
French Dassault Rafale jet fighters from the Saint-Dizier airbase east of Paris have carried out reconnaissance flights all over Libya.
The French military says they encountered no obstacle on their missions.
This follows a decision at a Paris summit of 15 powers and international organizations to embark on a military intervention in Libya.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the Gaddafi regime has lost legitimacy and must go.
He also accused it of backtracking from its latest ceasefire and stepping up assault.
Mounting casualties in Benghazi fighting
Al-Jazeera quotes local hospital sources in the rebel-held city of Benghazi in eastern Libya as speaking about 26 people killed and over 40 wounded in heavy fighting in the surrounding area.
The rebels say they are under heavy attack from the air and continue to suffer shelling by Gaddafi artillery.
The government denies this, saying it sticks to its Friday ceasefire, and any fighting in and around Benghazi is the result of rebel provocation aimed at inviting outside intervention.
International summit on Libya opens in Paris
The international summit on the situation in Libya has opened in Paris.
The leaders of the European Union, the Arab League and the African Union, and also the UN Secretary General and US Secretary of State are discussing the details of a likely military operation.
According to a French official, everything is ready for an air operation aimed at stopping the offense of governmental forces on rebels’ positions.
A squadron of US warships has been already deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The US ships will soon be joined by France’s Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier.
The resolution that the UN Security Council adopted on Friday urges that air space over the Jamahiriya should be closed and that Gaddafi should be prevented from bombing Libyan cities.
The international coalition is going to deliver a ceasefire ultimatum.
Unless Gaddafi meets the ultimatum, Libya may come under attack as early as this coming night.
Libyan rebels claim to have defended Benghazi
Appearing on Al-Jazeera television, head of Libya’s Transitional National Council Mustafa Abdel Jalil has said his forces have cleared the rebel stronghold Benghazi of troops loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
He also denied official reports that his chief military commander Abdel Fattah Yunis has switched sides and is now out of Benghazi.
On Saturday morning, Tripoli media circulated a government decree to reinstall General Yunis as Interior Minister.
The Libyan government also said that it is abiding by its latest ceasefire, and reports of government troops and tanks in Benghazi streets are lies.
The rebels, meantime, speak about air raids and heavy shelling in the Benghazi area.
Libya summit to be called in Paris
An international summit on the situation in Libya is due to be called in Paris at approximately 3:30 p.m. today.
The leaders of the European Union, the Arab League and the African Union, and also the UN Secretary General and US Secretary of State are due to agree the details of a likely military operation.
The resolution that the UN Security Council adopted on Friday urges that air space over the Jamahiriya should be closed and that Gaddafi should be prevented from bombing Libyan cities.
The international coalition is going to deliver a ceasefire ultimatum.
Unless Gaddafi meets the ultimatum, Libya may come under attack as early as this coming night.
Libyan Army tanks roll into Benghazi
Libyan Army tanks have rolled into the streets of the rebel-held Benghazi, says a BBC correspondent in a report from the scene.
According to earlier reports, the offensive was preceded by airstrikes and artillery shelling.
The Libyan authorities deny the report by claiming that the government troops are observing the ceasefire that they declared earlier in keeping with Friday’s resolution by the UN Security Council.
Muammar Gaddafi has sent a message to the leaders of the United States, the UK and France to point out that any military action by the West against Libya will be seen as outright aggression.
Gaddafi troops mount three-pronged attack on Benghazi
According to the Al Jazeera TV channel, the troops that are loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are mounting a three-pronged offensive against the city of Benghazi, including from the sea.
According to earlier reports, the Gaddafi troops have entered the western suburbs of the rebels’ stronghold following intensive artillery shelling and airstrikes. Accoridng to Al-Jazeera, 8 people died in the exchange of fire.
The Jamahiriya authorities deny reports about the offensive against Benghazi, claiming that it was government troops that came under attack at the approaches to the city.
Tripoli said it halted military action after the UN Security Council had adopted a restrictive resolution on Libya on Friday.
NATO worried by lack of Libya ceasefire
NATO military planners are meeting again in Brussels amid reports of intensified fighting in Libya, but no practical decisions appear anywhere in sight.
Meanwhile the leaders of the EU, the Arab League and the African Union will put their heads together in Paris later in the day in a meeting that will also be attended by the UN Secretary General, the leaders of key European nations and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Military operations may begin within days in Libya
Western countries could launch a military operation in Libya a few hours after an international meeting devoted to the Libyan crisis, which is due to be held today in Paris according to France’s UN representative Gerard Aro in an interview with the BBC.
“On Saturday we will hold a summit in Paris, bringing together all the major countries that will participate in operations and diplomatic efforts. I think it would be a good time to give a last warning” ITAR-TASS quotes him as saying.
The meeting will be attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, representatives of the European Union, Arab League and African Union.
The UN will be represented by its Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.