LIVE BLOG – Libya air strikes
Western air power continues to lead the massive air strikes against the forces of Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi. Follow all the events on our live blog, Twitter and Facebook.
08.00 There has been a third night of air attacks on the Libyan capital Tripoli.
18:49: Obama says US policy is ‘Gaddafi needs to go’ but Allied military operation is about protecting civilians
16.30 US general leading coalition forces says attacking the Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi is not part of his mission, but he said it would not be ideal for him to remain in power.
Is Gaddafi a target? Gary Gibbon blogs on: mixed messages on targetting Gaddafi
16.20 US commander says that expanding the no-fly zone will enable the humanitarian relief and that forces are there to protect civilians and not to provide close-air support to rebel forces.
15.20 US spokesman Vince Crawley said the military coalition fired less than a dozen missiles overnight, in sharp contrast to the 110 missiles fired on Saturday. Crawley said: “We spend the first 24 hours establishing conditions for a no-fly zone and are now transitioning over to a patrol posture.”
Libya: axed Harriers ‘could have saved lives’ – read more
14.50 The effectiveness of a weekend strike on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli remains unclear, a U.S. military official said Monday.
A senior U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the strike launched by British forces Sunday had targeted Gaddafi’s military command ability. U.S. officials have said they are not targeting Gaddafi personally.
13.40 Germany says economic sanctions should be route to oust Gaddafi, not military strikes. Guido Westerwelle said:
“We calculated the risk. If we see that three days after this intervention began, the Arab League already criticises (it), I think we had good reasons,” Westerwelle told reporters.
“We see that we have reasons for our concern.”
Westerwelle said that Germany was strongly supportive of EU efforts to remove Gaddafi through fnancial sanctions.
12.45 The Ministry of Defence reveal that a planned Tornado strike was called off due to fears of hitting civilians:
Major General John Lorimer said:
“As the RAF GR4 Tornados approached the target, further information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area.
“As a result the decision was taken not to launch weapons. This decision underlines the UK’s commitment to the protection of civilians.”
12.30 Ministry of Defence briefing: “No evidence that air strikes have caused civilian casualties.”
12.10 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has compared the UN resolution backing air strikes in Libya to “medieval calls for crusade”.
12.05 Rebel spokesman in Benghazi say rebel aim is still to “capture Tripoli”.
11.15 Turkey calls for a quick end to air strikes, saying the aim of the assault should have “the recognition and acknowledgement that Libya belongs to the Libyans, not for the distribution of its underground resources and wealth.”
Libya: 'we are in for the long haul'
The former UK ambassador to Libya tells Channel 4 News allied forces could be in the country "for the long haul" unless Gaddafi's internal allies turn against him - a process which has halted.
10.00 Iraqi government hails its support for the air strikes, however the influential Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr ‘condemned the foreign interference in Libya’, arguing that the people should overthrow the government by themselves.
09.45 Locals report that armed pro-Gaddafi forces have infiltrated the besieged rebel held town of Misrata, dressed as civilians.
09.00 Second night of strikes targets Gaddafi forces overnight as William Hague says Arab League “still support” the air attacks.
Photo gallery: images showing the after effects of allied air strikes on Libya. Click on the image to see more.
Gaddafi’s ground forces continue to be attacked by Western-led strikes after two nights of bombardment.
Missiles from coalition warplanes, and naval ships, have blasted tanks, radar sites and ground to air missile systems in Libya.
RAF Tornados have taken part in the assault, flying from Norfolk bases to launch raids 3,000 miles away before flying back.
The Arab League chief, Amr Moussa, after initially voicing concern over the attacks has rallied back into agreement with the strikes. He said he respected the need for the bombing but stressed the importance of avoiding civilian casualties.
Colonel Gaddafi has labelled the attacks as “terrorism” and a government spokesman claimed the coalition attempted to kill Gaddafi by a missile strike in Tripoli.
Rebel forces have seen the air strikes as a salvation and cheered on all assaults by French, British and American warplanes but say the strikes need to go further.
“If we don’t get more help from the West, Gaddafi’s forces will eat us alive,” said one rebel soldier.