THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Western forces could launch bombing raids against the Libyan regime as early as Friday after the UN backed international military action.
Colonel Gaddafi threatened retaliatory attacks on passenger aircraft in the Mediterranean last night if foreign countries launched air strikes against Libya.
“Any foreign military act” would expose “all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea” as targets for a counter attack, the Libyan regime said.
The warning was issued after America formally backed a joint British and French initiative for a no-fly zone over Libya and other military action against Col Gaddafi’s regime.Amid growing international concern at the deteriorating situation in the country, the first bombing raids, possibly by unmanned drones, could happen as early as today. There were reports last night that the first attacks would be unilateral actions by British and French air forces with logistical support from Arab states.
The United Nations was meeting to discuss the plan as Col Gaddafi’s troops massed on the outskirts of Benghazi, the last stronghold of rebel fighters.
Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said that a no-fly zone would involve bombing ground targets. » | Robert Winnett,, Deputy Political Editor, Jon Swaine in New York and Richard Spencer in Tripoli | Friday, March 18, 2011
