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Libya action: More UK missiles target defences | |
(40 minutes later) | |
UK forces have launched further missiles at Libyan air defences during a fifth night of coalition action to enforce the UN resolution on Libya. | |
Guided Tomahawk land attack missiles were fired from a Trafalgar Class submarine, defence officials said. | |
UK forces are part of a coalition enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya. | UK forces are part of a coalition enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya. |
On Wednesday RAF commander of the air operations over Libya, Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell, said the Libyan air force was no longer a fighting force. | |
Ships from Nato nations have also started patrolling off the Libyan coast to enforce a UN arms embargo against Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime. | |
They aim to intercept and board ships suspected of ferrying arms to the Libyan government. | They aim to intercept and board ships suspected of ferrying arms to the Libyan government. |
'Watching over innocent' | 'Watching over innocent' |
AVM Bagwell said the coalition was now applying pressure on Libya's armed forces. | |
The chief of defence staff's strategic communication officer, Major General John Lorimer, said the missiles launched on Wednesday night were part of the coalition plan to enforce the UN resolution. | |
"Britain and her international partners remain engaged in operations to support United Nations Security Resolution 1973, to enforce the established no-fly zone and to ready the UK's contribution to the Nato arms embargo of Libya," he said. | "Britain and her international partners remain engaged in operations to support United Nations Security Resolution 1973, to enforce the established no-fly zone and to ready the UK's contribution to the Nato arms embargo of Libya," he said. |
AVM Bagwell, speaking during a visit to RAF aircrew based at Gioia del Colle, in southern Italy, said: "We are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack. | |
"We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten civilians or attack population centres." | "We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten civilians or attack population centres." |
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said Arab support for the military operation over Libya was "very strong". | Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said Arab support for the military operation over Libya was "very strong". |
"Clear support is there from the secretary general [of the Arab League]... and I believe support in the Arab world, not just among Arab leaders, but also amongst Arab people, for saving lives in Libya is very strong." | "Clear support is there from the secretary general [of the Arab League]... and I believe support in the Arab world, not just among Arab leaders, but also amongst Arab people, for saving lives in Libya is very strong." |
Mr Cameron told MPs that 11 nations were contributing more than 150 aircraft. | Mr Cameron told MPs that 11 nations were contributing more than 150 aircraft. |
He confirmed that Qatari Mirage jets had been taking part in the operation, and said there would be "logistic help" from countries like Kuwait and Jordan. | He confirmed that Qatari Mirage jets had been taking part in the operation, and said there would be "logistic help" from countries like Kuwait and Jordan. |
The prime minister said the coalition operation over Libya had had a "good effect" in protecting civilians, but that it was still early days. | The prime minister said the coalition operation over Libya had had a "good effect" in protecting civilians, but that it was still early days. |
The foreign secretary has announced that the UK will host an international conference on Libya next week. | The foreign secretary has announced that the UK will host an international conference on Libya next week. |