Western planes led strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's military as world leaders ordered the biggest intervention in the Arab world since allied forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The patience of the international community finally ran out as Gaddafi's troops pounded the rebel stronghold of Benghazi hours after the Libyan dictator had promised a full ceasefire and invited foreign officials into his country to monitor it. After US, European and Arab leaders met for urgent talks in Paris, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said his aircraft were already in action to stop what he described as Gaddafi's "murderous madness". He said: "Our air force will oppose any aggression by Colonel Gaddafi against the population of Benghazi. As of now, our aircraft are preventing planes from attacking the town. As of now, other French aircraft are ready to intervene against tanks, armoured vehicles threatening unarmed civilians." David Cameron said action was needed to stop Gaddafi slaughtering his own people and flouting the will of the international community. "Colonel Gaddafi has made this happen. He has lied to the international community. He has promised a ceasefire. He has broken that ceasefire. He continues to brutalise his own people. The time for action has come," the prime minister said.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said the people of Libya had appealed for help and the international community had been united in its determination to respond: "We have every reason to fear that, left unchecked, Gaddafi will commit unspeakable atrocities. His campaign of violence must stop." Even before the summit, military sources said French Rafale planes were carrying out reconnaissance missions. Rafales are designed for bombing, reconnaissance and air defence purposes, but can also be equipped with laser-guided bombs for air strikes. A French official said a French fighter jet had fired on a Libyan military vehicle in the first exchanges with Gaddafi's forces. French defence ministry spokesman Thierry Burkhard said the strike had been reported around 16.45 GMT. France expects to carry out most of its air missions from its base on Corsica while it is believed UK fighters would be deployed from southern Italy or Cyprus. An American official said that the US intended to limit its involvement to protecting allied air missions by taking out Libyan air defences with missile strikes launched from US Navy ships stationed in the Mediterranean. Six Danish F-16 fighter jets landed at a US air base in Sicily, while Canadian CF-18 Hornets were also in the region.A fighter jet is shot down over the rebel-held Libyan city of Benghazi. The plane was circling around and heading towards a target, possibility Benghazi s military barracks, when it was hit and then exploded in orange flames. It is not known whether the pilot survived, where the plane went down or who was responsible for the attack. A TV station also reported an artillery bombardment hit the city s center on Saturday. The Libyan government has denied its forces are positioned in or near the rebel bastion. Amateur video shot on Friday allegedly shows the western city of Misrata being shelled from the air just hours after a unilateral ceasefire was declared. While the footage cannot be verified, the uploader claims the video is proof that embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi is continuing to target civilians in an effort to reclaim control. World leaders will today meet in France to discuss military intervention if, indeed, Gaddafi s forces have defied demands for an immediate ceasefire. More than 500 families are taking shelter in this refugee camp, with more than 160 kids of 5 years. With turbulences in Libya still going on, many refugees pour into the refugee camp on the border of Tunisia every day. Shelter tents built by some volunteers especially for kids in the camp are known among the refugees as "a merry garden for children," where some female volunteers from international aid organizations and child education experts are taking care of young refugees. More than 500 families are taking shelter in this refugee camp, with more than 160 kids up to 5 years old. Some international aid organizations built these special tents for kids in hope to offer a relatively relaxing environment for their physical and mental health. Many mothers bring their kids to these special tents after they heard of the garden. There are so many kids that the volunteers have to divide them into different groups according to their ages, so that the kid can come to learn and play around here in groups.
No comments:
Post a Comment