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French aircraft on flights over Libya; US missiles launched at targets
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March 19, 2011
Original URL: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/French_aircraft_on_flights_over_Libya;_US_missiles_launched_at_targets



French military aircraft began flying missions over Libya today in
support of a no-fly zone the United Nations approved Thursday.

President Nicolas Sarkozy said that "[o]ur air force will oppose any
aggression by Colonel Gadhafi [...] As of now, our aircraft are
preventing planes from attacking the town [and] are prepared to
intervene against tanks, armored vehicles threatening unarmed
civilians." One of the planes deployed has reportedly fired against a
ground military vehicle.

The intervention is believed to be the first such action since the
no-fly zone was approved.  fighter jets have been deployed from ,
France, and have reportedly encountered no problems during their
missions.

This action was followed by United States warships launching  cruise
missiles at targets in Tripoli and Misrata.

Other countries are preparing to assist in enforcing the no-fly zone.
Italy has offered to allow aircraft use at their air bases, and Canada
has already sent a aircraft to the region, though they will not
immediately begin flying missions.

In Benghazi, government forces have reportedly launched an attack on the
rebel stronghold, though Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has denied this
claim. Pro-Gaddafi forces have apparently shot down a rebel aircraft. 

Some 200,000 people are estimated to have fled the city, according to
the UN.

== Sources == 

*  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971
*  http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/19/libya.civil.war/index.html



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