Saturday 19 March 2011

Libya: British forces fire missiles at Gaddafi


Britain has fired missiles at Libya as Colonel Muammar Gaddafi defied the world and continued to attack civilians.

David Cameron and a Tomahawk missile
L-David Cameron after COBRA meeting R-A Tomahawk missile 
David Cameron ordered British forces into action against Libya in “Operation Ellamy” after world leaders united to tell the dictator the “time for action” had come.
Blasts were heard east of Tripoli late on Saturday night.
The Tomahawk missiles were launched from a Trafalgar class submarine off Libya.
British Tornado jets were poised to join the multinational operation which is expected to see much of Gaddafi’s armed forces destroyed in an effort to stop his assault on rebel strongholds.
Outside Downing Street, Mr Cameron said British forces were in action over Libya.
“What we are doing is necessary, it is legal and it is right,” he said. “I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people.
“Tonight our thoughts should be with those in our armed services who are putting their lives at risk to save the lives of others. They are the bravest of the brave.”
French combat jets were the first to attack on Saturday as they destroyed four tanks at 4.45pm — hours after 19 world leaders gathered in Paris to agree multinational action. The Libyan dictator tried to wrong-foot the international community by declaring a ceasefire, even though his forces kept up an onslaught on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
In Paris Mr Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, led a summit that agreed to “all necessary action” in a move backed by the United States, a series of European countries and, crucially, Arab nations.
Gaddafi was told to quit as:
• Libyan rebels said they feared any action was too late to stop atrocities as Gaddafi appeared to be moving human shields into airports and barracks and warned the world: “You will regret it if you dare to intervene in our country.”
• Up to 16 RAF Tornado ground attack planes were prepared to scramble from RAF Marham to destroy Libya’s air defence system while eight Typhoons are set to patrol over Libya
• After returning from Paris, Mr Cameron held a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee with senior ministers and the Chief of the Defence Staff
• American forces launched Tomahawk missiles from warships in the Mediterranean
• Planes from Canada, Denmark and Spain arrived at bases near Libya and more air power was expected
• Russia broke international consensus to say it “regretted” action against Gaddafi
• The Libyan dictator’s forces shelled rebel positions, leading to civilians beginning to flee Benghazi
• A Libyan jet whose pilot defected to the rebels crashed in Benghazi after being shot down by its own side.
Speaking after the meeting at the Elysée Palace, Mr Cameron said Col Gaddafi had “lied” to the international community, violated his own “ceasefire” and now faced “urgent” action.
Sources said Britain, France and the United States had assumed the “leadership” of the coalition in early talks between the Prime Minister, Mr Sarkozy and Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state.
The “extremely purposeful conclusion” of the early talks was endorsed by the full meeting, where speakers included Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations secretary general.
Sources said Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, “supported” action against Libya despite abstaining in last week’s UN Security Council vote.
The summit was also attended by Amr Moussa, the Arab League secretary general, and representatives of Arab states including Qatar, the UAE, Iraq, Jordan and Morocco. Qatar and the UAE are expected to join the military effort.
Canadian F-18 combat jets landed at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire to refuel before heading to northern Sicily while six Danish F-16s jet arrived at the island ready for operations later today.
Over the next few days more Nato ships will begin to converge on Libya with the aim of enforcing a naval blockade.
Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster is already off the Libyan coast while HMS Cumberland, also a frigate, is in the Mediterranean.
Britain’s contribution will be controlled by Joint Force Air Component, a command and control structure already deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Elements of the US Navy began to concentrate their forces in the region. The USS Enterprise carrier strike group was ready for action in the Red Sea. Also in the region was the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group.
Barack Obama said the international community was resolved to protect the people of Libya. “In the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians, our coalition is prepared to act and act with urgency,” he said.
In a straw poll of Sunday Telegraph readers by eDigital, an independent market research company, 57 per cent said they supported the Government’s decision to take part in international action against Gaddafi forces, while 27 per cent opposed it.
Asked whether British ground forces should be used if the regime’s attacks on civilians continued, 48 per cent said “yes” while 47 per cent said “no”.
About two thirds said the Coalition should reconsider its defence cuts in light of the situation.
But in Libya the crisis deepened. There was brutal retaliation by Gaddafi forces in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, prompting thousands of civilians to flee eastwards towards the Egyptian border.
Artillery bombardment of the city began early on Saturday, with reports that ground troops were approaching from the coast and the south.
As explosions shook the city, a large plume of black smoke rose from the edge of Benghazi. A doctor said 27 bodies had reached hospitals by midday.
Residents set up makeshift barricades with furniture, benches and road signs along main streets, with each barricade manned by rebels.
During the day, rebels retreated but later claimed they had regained ground, seizing four tanks from Gaddafi forces. Mr Sarkozy said Gaddafi’s actions would not be tolerated.
At the summit talks he said participants agreed “to use all necessary means – in particular military means – to enforce the Security Council decisions”.
Mr Sarkozy said Gaddafi had brushed off calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of his troops.
“Gaddafi has ignored this warning,” he said. “His forces have stepped up their deadly offensive. Arab peoples have chosen to free themselves from the enslavement in which they have felt trapped.”
Mrs Clinton said the US would use its military capabilities to help its European and Canadian allies and Arab partners stop Gaddafi from attacking Libyan people.
“Colonel Gaddafi continues to defy the world and his attacks on civilians go on,” she said.
Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, said: “This is a moment of truth for the international community to end the slaughter of innocents in Libya.
“The Government is right to take strong and urgent action. Gaddafi has no one to blame but himself. Britain should stand in solidarity with the Libyan people.”

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