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Libya action: More UK missiles target defences | Libya action: More UK missiles target defences |
(about 3 hours later) | |
UK forces have launched further missiles at Libyan air defences during a fifth night of coalition action to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone. | UK forces have launched further missiles at Libyan air defences during a fifth night of coalition action to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone. |
Guided Tomahawk land attack missiles were fired from a Trafalgar Class submarine, defence officials said. | Guided Tomahawk land attack missiles were fired from a Trafalgar Class submarine, defence officials said. |
Thirteen countries are taking part in the action to protect Libyan civilians. | |
Foreign Secretary William Hague told MPs the case for it remained "utterly compelling". | |
He said UK forces had undertaken a total of 59 aerial missions over Libya in addition to air and missile strikes since the operation began. | |
So far 13 nations had currently deployed aircraft to the region, while a number of others had made offers of aircraft and other military support which were in the process of being agreed, he added. | |
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Hague said: "Appalling violence against Libyan citizens continues to take place, exposing the regime's claims to have ordered a ceasefire to be an utter sham. | |
"Misrata has been under siege for days by regime ground forces, although coalition air strikes are helping to relieve the pressure on its citizens. | |
"Many... are trapped in their homes... and facing sniper fire if they venture into the streets, while the local hospital is swamped with casualties. | |
"Ajdabiya continues to be under attack, with reports of civilian deaths from tank shells. | |
"This underlines the appalling danger its inhabitants would be in without coalition action, as do continued threats by Gadaffi forces to 'massacre' residents in areas under bombardment." | |
On Wednesday the RAF commander of the air operations, 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. | 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. | AVM Bagwell said the coalition was now applying pressure on Libya's armed forces. |
The chief of defence staff's strategic communication officer, Maj Gen 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. | 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 Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister David 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. |
'Good effect' | 'Good effect' |
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. |
The coalition action began after the United Nations Security Council authorised the use of military force in Libya in order to protect its citizens from attacks by Col Gaddafi's regime. | |
Security Council Resolution 1973 called for a ceasefire and the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya, and it imposed a freeze on "all funds, other financial assets and economic resources" owned or controlled by the Libyan authorities. | Security Council Resolution 1973 called for a ceasefire and the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya, and it imposed a freeze on "all funds, other financial assets and economic resources" owned or controlled by the Libyan authorities. |
Many in the rebel-held cities in eastern Libya have welcomed the intervention, with thousands marching on Wednesday to show their gratitude for the no-fly zone. | Many in the rebel-held cities in eastern Libya have welcomed the intervention, with thousands marching on Wednesday to show their gratitude for the no-fly zone. |