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| Libya: UK joins in second night of missile strikes | Libya: UK joins in second night of missile strikes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| UK military have taken part in a second night of missile strikes against Libya. | |
| Tomahawk missiles were launched from a British submarine in the Mediterranean, but RAF Tornado bombers aborted their mission because civilians were in the area of their target. | Tomahawk missiles were launched from a British submarine in the Mediterranean, but RAF Tornado bombers aborted their mission because civilians were in the area of their target. |
| The UK is part of an international coalition, also including the US and France, trying to protect civilians from attacks by Col Gaddafi's forces. | The UK is part of an international coalition, also including the US and France, trying to protect civilians from attacks by Col Gaddafi's forces. |
| The Libyan military said it had ordered a ceasefire across the entire country. | The Libyan military said it had ordered a ceasefire across the entire country. |
| Col Muammar Gaddafi's government had ordered a ceasefire on Friday, which was broken within hours, prompting the coalition's first attacks on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday. | Col Muammar Gaddafi's government had ordered a ceasefire on Friday, which was broken within hours, prompting the coalition's first attacks on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday. |
| A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was monitoring the situation closely after the latest ceasefire was supposed to take effect from 2100 local time (1900 GMT) on Sunday. | A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was monitoring the situation closely after the latest ceasefire was supposed to take effect from 2100 local time (1900 GMT) on Sunday. |
| On Sunday evening, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced missiles had been fired from a British submarine in another co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems. | On Sunday evening, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced missiles had been fired from a British submarine in another co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems. |
| A later MoD statement said the Tornados had been approaching their target when "information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area". | A later MoD statement said the Tornados had been approaching their target when "information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area". |
| The Chief of Defence Staff's strategic communications officer Maj Gen John Lorimer said: "As a result the decision was taken not to launch weapons. | The Chief of Defence Staff's strategic communications officer Maj Gen John Lorimer said: "As a result the decision was taken not to launch weapons. |
| "This decision underlines the UK's commitment to the protection of civilians." | "This decision underlines the UK's commitment to the protection of civilians." |
| Explosions heard | Explosions heard |
| Defence Secretary Liam Fox said it was "a possibility" that Col Gaddafi himself could be targeted in the military operations. | Defence Secretary Liam Fox said it was "a possibility" that Col Gaddafi himself could be targeted in the military operations. |
| But he told BBC Radio 5 live that such a move was problematic because "you would have to take into account any civilian casualties that might result from that, and at all times we are very careful to avoid that for its humanitarian reasons". | But he told BBC Radio 5 live that such a move was problematic because "you would have to take into account any civilian casualties that might result from that, and at all times we are very careful to avoid that for its humanitarian reasons". |
| Throughout Sunday they have been carrying out BDA (bomb damage assessments). | Throughout Sunday they have been carrying out BDA (bomb damage assessments). |
| RAF analysts have been studying high level photographs of the effects of the last 24 hours of strikes on Libya's air defences and the conclusion they have reached is that they haven't quite completely finished the job. | RAF analysts have been studying high level photographs of the effects of the last 24 hours of strikes on Libya's air defences and the conclusion they have reached is that they haven't quite completely finished the job. |
| So although patrolling of the skies has already begun we should probably expect a bit more work in that area. | So although patrolling of the skies has already begun we should probably expect a bit more work in that area. |
| But the question is where does this all end? What's the outcome? There's no doubt all those involved in the operation want Gaddafi's regime to collapse and for him to depart. But ideally they'd like this to happen from within, with as little fighting as possible. | But the question is where does this all end? What's the outcome? There's no doubt all those involved in the operation want Gaddafi's regime to collapse and for him to depart. But ideally they'd like this to happen from within, with as little fighting as possible. |
| US defence spokesman Vice Adm William Gortney told a press briefing: "We are not going after Gaddafi. At this particular point I can guarantee he is not on the target list." | US defence spokesman Vice Adm William Gortney told a press briefing: "We are not going after Gaddafi. At this particular point I can guarantee he is not on the target list." |
| However, in the last few hours, a missile strike on Libyan leader Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli has destroyed a building which coalition officials said was a command centre. | However, in the last few hours, a missile strike on Libyan leader Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli has destroyed a building which coalition officials said was a command centre. |
| A number of explosions have been heard around the Libyan capital. | A number of explosions have been heard around the Libyan capital. |
| Several Tornados took off from RAF Marham in Norfolk on Sunday, while Typhoon jets are on stand-by in Italy. | Several Tornados took off from RAF Marham in Norfolk on Sunday, while Typhoon jets are on stand-by in Italy. |
| Flights from the Norfolk base during the first night of operations, which targeted an "integrated air defence system" in Libya, represented the longest-range bombing mission carried out by the RAF since the 1982 Falklands War. | Flights from the Norfolk base during the first night of operations, which targeted an "integrated air defence system" in Libya, represented the longest-range bombing mission carried out by the RAF since the 1982 Falklands War. |
| Hercules aircraft have also left RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, believed to be heading to the Mediterranean with equipment and supplies. | Hercules aircraft have also left RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, believed to be heading to the Mediterranean with equipment and supplies. |
| Naval blockade | Naval blockade |
| Maj Gen Lorimer said RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus continued to support the operation with a number of assets, including E-3D Sentry, Sentinel and VC10 planes. | Maj Gen Lorimer said RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus continued to support the operation with a number of assets, including E-3D Sentry, Sentinel and VC10 planes. |
| On Sunday evening, the UK government held its first meeting of a new National Security Council sub-committee on Libya. | On Sunday evening, the UK government held its first meeting of a new National Security Council sub-committee on Libya. |
| Dr Fox said early indications suggested the first night's operation was "very successful". | Dr Fox said early indications suggested the first night's operation was "very successful". |
| The UK launched Tomahawk missiles from a Trafalgar class Royal Navy submarine, aimed at targets around the coastal cities of Tripoli and Misrata, over. | The UK launched Tomahawk missiles from a Trafalgar class Royal Navy submarine, aimed at targets around the coastal cities of Tripoli and Misrata, over. |
| Some 124 missiles were fired by the US and UK, and hit 20 of 22 targets causing "various levels of damage", the US military said on Sunday. | Some 124 missiles were fired by the US and UK, and hit 20 of 22 targets causing "various levels of damage", the US military said on Sunday. |
| As well as the submarine involved in the operation, two Royal Navy ships are taking part in a naval blockade. | As well as the submarine involved in the operation, two Royal Navy ships are taking part in a naval blockade. |
| The build-up of forces to enforce the UN-mandated no-fly zone continues, with Qatar due to become the first Arab country to play an active part by sending four planes. | The build-up of forces to enforce the UN-mandated no-fly zone continues, with Qatar due to become the first Arab country to play an active part by sending four planes. |
| The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has left the Mediterranean port of Toulon for Libya, while Denmark and Norway are each sending six planes. | The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has left the Mediterranean port of Toulon for Libya, while Denmark and Norway are each sending six planes. |
| Spain has sent at least three planes, plus a refuelling aircraft, while Italy also has jets ready to deploy. | Spain has sent at least three planes, plus a refuelling aircraft, while Italy also has jets ready to deploy. |
| The military action follows the passing of a UN resolution imposing a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace, excluding aid flights, and authorises member states to "take all necessary measures" to "protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack". | The military action follows the passing of a UN resolution imposing a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace, excluding aid flights, and authorises member states to "take all necessary measures" to "protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack". |
| Col Gaddafi has ruled Libya for more than 40 years. An uprising against him began last month after the long-time leaders of neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt were toppled. | Col Gaddafi has ruled Libya for more than 40 years. An uprising against him began last month after the long-time leaders of neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt were toppled. |
| Do you have friends or relatives in Libya? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below | Do you have friends or relatives in Libya? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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