Obama spinns a good yarn.

[Cole]

The US engaged with "command and control logistics (and) cruise missiles" in its first strikes near Libya's coast, "because that's where the integrated missile defence systems are and of course the other air defence related facilities", notably around Tripoli and Misrata, the official said.

The US operation -- named "Odyssey Dawn" -- followed initial missions by French warplanes, which carried out four air strikes on Saturday, destroying several armoured vehicles of Gaddafi forces.



Two US Navy destroyers and three US submarines are positioned in the Meditteranean near Libya, all of which are equipped with Tomahawk missiles.

French warplanes also carried out four air strikes in Libya , destroying several armoured vehicles of forces loyal to Gaddafi, the French military said.

According to the army chief, a first strike took place around 1645 GMT (0345 AEDT Sunday) against "a Libyan vehicle clearly identified as belonging to pro-Gaddafi forces".

Within the next hour, French Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets conducted three other strikes, destroying armoured vehicles of the Libyan forces in the eastern region of Benghazi, the rebels' stronghold, the military said.

The operations are to continue through the night, the military said.

British forces are in action over Libya as part of a UN-sanctioned intervention to stop Gaddafi's forces, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday.

"Tonight, British forces are in action over Libya. They are part of an international coalition that has come together to enforce the will of the United Nations and to protect the Libyan people," Cameron said.

The action came two days after a UN Security Council resolution authorised military action.

Libyan media said Western warplanes bombed civilian targets in Tripoli, causing casualties, shortly after France's launch of the multinational air campaign against Gaddafi.

State television said hundreds of people had gathered at Bab al-Aziziyah, Gaddafi's Tripoli headquarters, and at the capital's international airport, ahead of the widely anticipated air strikes.

"Crowds are forming around the targets identified by France," the television reported, showing pictures of flag-waving people gathering to serve as human shields.

Last week, a highly placed French source referred to Bab al-Aziziya, a military air base in Sirte, east of the capital, and another in Sebha in the south as likely targets of a strike.

Russia's foreign ministry expressed regret over the armed intervention under UN Resolution 1973 "which was adopted in haste".

According to France's army chief, a first French air strike took place around 1645 GMT (0345 AEDT Sunday) against "a Libyan vehicle clearly identified as belonging to pro-Gaddafi forces".

Within the next hour, French Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets conducted three other strikes, destroying armoured vehicles of the Libyan forces in the eastern region of Benghazi, the rebels' stronghold, the military said.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Some military targets were destroyed by forces.
If I get this well, people are being used as human shields (by their own decision? ordered/payed by Khadafi?) to cause civilian casualities. Now that would be quite a sad way to then accuse coalition to cause civilian losses, if it is indeed true.
I also read in another article from another newspaper being few weeks old, that some Libyan generals defected when they were asked to shoot civilians and joined the rebels (just like in Tunisia and Egypt when army refused to attack the civilians).

I'm currently watching Al Jazeera English channel to see what's their point of view on the matter.

[Juliette]

Of course they were "put there by Qaddafi".. no one will admit they'd shoot at civvies because their aim is **Filtered**. Besides, we have seen Western troops fire on civilians for fun before.. would be nothing new, would it?

Anyway. Al-Jazeera is in league with the terrorists and the Coalition, and is as a consequence untrustworthy. RussiaToday is so far bringing 'the other side' of the story. (I'll disregard the Libyan state tv, as that appears to lack a decent sense of English, and my Arabic is sub-par.)

[Jixxi]

it does'nt matter about the reasons the simple matter is the EU and america would be saving lives doing this or would you rather people die? who gives a **Filtered** if their in it for their own interests atleast their doing the right thing in a round about way

[Juliette]

it does'nt matter about the reasons the simple matter is the EU and america would be saving lives doing this or would you rather people die? who gives a **Filtered** if their in it for their own interests atleast their doing the right thing in a round about way

How is killing people saving lives? How is fueling a conflict that could potentially cost thousands of lives saving lives? That is not just round about, that is murder by proxy.
Instead of letting a few terrorists die (the Monarchist leaders) and letting Qaddafi restore order, they bomb the **Filtered** out of the only one who can save that nation. Typical Western arrogance.

[Jixxi]

the EU and USA want to impose a no fly zone to stop him bombing his own people how is that murder by proxy

[Cole]

Also some Libyan generals defected weeks ago when they were asked to shoot civilians. That reminded me Tunisia/Egypt cases, where military refused to shoot civilians and only police did repression against civilians.

Anyway. Al-Jazeera is in league with the terrorists and the Coalition, and is as a consequence untrustworthy. RussiaToday is so far bringing 'the other side' of the story.

Does it mean RT is taking an outsider point of view, or is it pro Kadafi? If it's outsider point of view (what some call "neutral"), I'm interested to see their report, else, I'm not.

[Jixxi]

Also some Libyan generals defected weeks ago when they were asked to shoot civilians. That reminded me Tunisia/Egypt cases, where military refused to shoot civilians and only police did repression against civilians.

and the two figher jets that landed in malta.

the no fly zone is a good idea and no argument can go against that, but i will also say that if we interfere(sp? sozi'm drunk) in libya we should also interfear in bahrain(sp?) and palestine/israel

[Cole]

Erm Jix that would be as much as a mistake as Iraq, if not more, to do that. I'm against any form of ground invading (which Obama confirmed there won't be) or anything else beyond what is meant to be done in the resolution.

[spoiler]

A multi-national force has launched a series of strikes against colonel Gaddafi's forces in Libya.

The force is part of an operation to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone.

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, in an address to the nation late on Saturday, threatened to attack military and civilian targets around the Mediterranean.

He also said Libyan weapons depots will be open to the population so that it can protect the country from “the colonial aggression of the crusaders.”

Claiming that Libya is ready to fight against the intervening forces, Gaddafi also called on African, Arab and Latin American countries to support Libya in its struggle against their “common enemy.”

On Saturday afternoon French jets attacked Libyan military vehicles and destroyed several tanks.

After the attack, Libyan TV said Gaddafi’s missile defense troops shot down a French plane over Tripoli. However, France’s General Staff denied the claim, saying that all French planes returned safely to base.

Libyan officials also claim there are civilian victims of the missile barrage in Tripoli. They also said an oil depot near Misurata, the third largest Libyan city, occupied by opposition forces, was bombarded.

The French President ordered planes to patrol the skies over the city of Benghazi, to prevent attacks against civilians, where Government troops had reportedly been carrying out attacks throughout the day.

The British prime minister confirmed the British airforce is also in action, and the US fired ship-based cruise missiles at Libya's air defenses.

Pentagon official stated that over 110 US Tomahawk missiles, as well as British ships and submarines, struck more than 20 targets on the Libyan coast.

US President Barak Obama commented on US military action in Libya.

"We are acting in the interests of the United States and the world,” he said.

US official says air strikes are the first phase in a multi-phase operation in Libya.

However, President Barack Obama said US land forces will not participate in the military operation in Libya.



Russia's reaction

Russia expresses regret over the start of armed intervention by foreign forces in Libya, Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said in a statement on Saturday.

"We strongly urge both Libyan sides and the parties involved in the military operation to do everything possible in order to prevent the suffering of the civilian population and stop the violence as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

Moscow is mostly concerned about civilian casualties, the number of which is very likely to increase as the intervention proceeds.

Russian officials have steadily been against any foreign intervention into Libya’s domestic affairs, saying the West should let such turmoil-gripped countries choose their own way of development.

There are also concerns, mostly expressed by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Rogozin, that because of the foreign intervention, unrest may spread to other areas in North Africa.

Rogozin added that in his personal opinion, the US, UK, France and Italy are somewhat overstepping the bounds of the UN resolution.

Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Affairs CTTE, pointed out that the main goal of the UN Security Council resolution was originally to protect the civilian population, and not to overthrow the Gaddafi regime.

“My personal concern is that any military operation that is conducted by the West in the Arab world can lead to a very unpredictable scenario,” Margelov said, “All the parties involved in the conflict may get together and start fighting against the foreign invaders,” said Margelov.

Russia believes the only solution to the problem is that the two parties declare an immediate cease-fire and try to find a mutually acceptable political solution.

[/spoiler]

http://rt.com/news/military-full-swing-libya/

[spoiler]

Military strike on Libya begins

The United States and European and Arab nations began military action against Libya on Saturday in line with a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians from attacks by Libyan government forces.

French fighter jets have attacked troops loyal to leader Muammar al-Qadhafi, and the US and Britain have launched cruise missile attacks on Libyan air defense facilities.

France's defense ministry announced that its aircraft had destroyed military vehicles during an attack on Qadhafi's forces on Saturday afternoon.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that the strikes will continue until Qadhafi agrees to a ceasefire.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement that his country had begun sending fighter jets to Libya.

The US Defense Department announced that more than 110 cruise missiles were launched from US and British naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. The attack targeted more than 20 Libyan air defense facilities.

The extent of the damage caused by the strikes is not yet known, but Libyan authorities told NHK that the airport in the capital city of Tripoli had been attacked.

A spokesperson for anti-government forces in the western city of Misrata told NHK by telephone that civilians are celebrating the launch of the military operations.

He said that immediate attacks on Libyan government forces are needed to protect civilians, and he urged the international forces to continue their strikes.

As the situation in Libya reaches a critical stage, the focus of attention is now on Qadhafi's response.

Sunday, March 20, 2011 07:37 +0900 (JST)

[/spoiler]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_08.html

NHK World report.

[Jixxi]

Erm Jix that would be as much as a mistake as Iraq, if not more, to do that. I'm against any form of ground invading (which Obama confirmed there won't be) or anything else beyond what is meant to be done in the resolution.

[spoiler]

A multi-national force has launched a series of strikes against colonel Gaddafi's forces in Libya.

The force is part of an operation to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone.

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, in an address to the nation late on Saturday, threatened to attack military and civilian targets around the Mediterranean.

He also said Libyan weapons depots will be open to the population so that it can protect the country from “the colonial aggression of the crusaders.”

Claiming that Libya is ready to fight against the intervening forces, Gaddafi also called on African, Arab and Latin American countries to support Libya in its struggle against their “common enemy.”

On Saturday afternoon French jets attacked Libyan military vehicles and destroyed several tanks.

After the attack, Libyan TV said Gaddafi’s missile defense troops shot down a French plane over Tripoli. However, France’s General Staff denied the claim, saying that all French planes returned safely to base.

Libyan officials also claim there are civilian victims of the missile barrage in Tripoli. They also said an oil depot near Misurata, the third largest Libyan city, occupied by opposition forces, was bombarded.

The French President ordered planes to patrol the skies over the city of Benghazi, to prevent attacks against civilians, where Government troops had reportedly been carrying out attacks throughout the day.

The British prime minister confirmed the British airforce is also in action, and the US fired ship-based cruise missiles at Libya's air defenses.

Pentagon official stated that over 110 US Tomahawk missiles, as well as British ships and submarines, struck more than 20 targets on the Libyan coast.

US President Barak Obama commented on US military action in Libya.

"We are acting in the interests of the United States and the world,” he said.

US official says air strikes are the first phase in a multi-phase operation in Libya.

However, President Barack Obama said US land forces will not participate in the military operation in Libya.



Russia's reaction

Russia expresses regret over the start of armed intervention by foreign forces in Libya, Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said in a statement on Saturday.

"We strongly urge both Libyan sides and the parties involved in the military operation to do everything possible in order to prevent the suffering of the civilian population and stop the violence as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

Moscow is mostly concerned about civilian casualties, the number of which is very likely to increase as the intervention proceeds.

Russian officials have steadily been against any foreign intervention into Libya’s domestic affairs, saying the West should let such turmoil-gripped countries choose their own way of development.

There are also concerns, mostly expressed by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Rogozin, that because of the foreign intervention, unrest may spread to other areas in North Africa.

Rogozin added that in his personal opinion, the US, UK, France and Italy are somewhat overstepping the bounds of the UN resolution.

Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Affairs CTTE, pointed out that the main goal of the UN Security Council resolution was originally to protect the civilian population, and not to overthrow the Gaddafi regime.

“My personal concern is that any military operation that is conducted by the West in the Arab world can lead to a very unpredictable scenario,” Margelov said, “All the parties involved in the conflict may get together and start fighting against the foreign invaders,” said Margelov.

Russia believes the only solution to the problem is that the two parties declare an immediate cease-fire and try to find a mutually acceptable political solution.

[/spoiler]

http://rt.com/news/military-full-swing-libya/

[spoiler]

Military strike on Libya begins

The United States and European and Arab nations began military action against Libya on Saturday in line with a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians from attacks by Libyan government forces.

French fighter jets have attacked troops loyal to leader Muammar al-Qadhafi, and the US and Britain have launched cruise missile attacks on Libyan air defense facilities.

France's defense ministry announced that its aircraft had destroyed military vehicles during an attack on Qadhafi's forces on Saturday afternoon.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that the strikes will continue until Qadhafi agrees to a ceasefire.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement that his country had begun sending fighter jets to Libya.

The US Defense Department announced that more than 110 cruise missiles were launched from US and British naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. The attack targeted more than 20 Libyan air defense facilities.

The extent of the damage caused by the strikes is not yet known, but Libyan authorities told NHK that the airport in the capital city of Tripoli had been attacked.

A spokesperson for anti-government forces in the western city of Misrata told NHK by telephone that civilians are celebrating the launch of the military operations.

He said that immediate attacks on Libyan government forces are needed to protect civilians, and he urged the international forces to continue their strikes.

As the situation in Libya reaches a critical stage, the focus of attention is now on Qadhafi's response.

Sunday, March 20, 2011 07:37 +0900 (JST)

[/spoiler]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_08.html

NHK World report.

no grond invasion would be needed just strong words from the usa mainly, their the ones in league with the saudis and the israelites

[Cole]

Erm Jix that would be as much as a mistake as Iraq, if not more, to do that. I'm against any form of ground invading (which Obama confirmed there won't be) or anything else beyond what is meant to be done in the resolution.

[spoiler]

A multi-national force has launched a series of strikes against colonel Gaddafi's forces in Libya.

The force is part of an operation to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone.

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, in an address to the nation late on Saturday, threatened to attack military and civilian targets around the Mediterranean.

He also said Libyan weapons depots will be open to the population so that it can protect the country from “the colonial aggression of the crusaders.”

Claiming that Libya is ready to fight against the intervening forces, Gaddafi also called on African, Arab and Latin American countries to support Libya in its struggle against their “common enemy.”

On Saturday afternoon French jets attacked Libyan military vehicles and destroyed several tanks.

After the attack, Libyan TV said Gaddafi’s missile defense troops shot down a French plane over Tripoli. However, France’s General Staff denied the claim, saying that all French planes returned safely to base.

Libyan officials also claim there are civilian victims of the missile barrage in Tripoli. They also said an oil depot near Misurata, the third largest Libyan city, occupied by opposition forces, was bombarded.

The French President ordered planes to patrol the skies over the city of Benghazi, to prevent attacks against civilians, where Government troops had reportedly been carrying out attacks throughout the day.

The British prime minister confirmed the British airforce is also in action, and the US fired ship-based cruise missiles at Libya's air defenses.

Pentagon official stated that over 110 US Tomahawk missiles, as well as British ships and submarines, struck more than 20 targets on the Libyan coast.

US President Barak Obama commented on US military action in Libya.

"We are acting in the interests of the United States and the world,” he said.

US official says air strikes are the first phase in a multi-phase operation in Libya.

However, President Barack Obama said US land forces will not participate in the military operation in Libya.



Russia's reaction

Russia expresses regret over the start of armed intervention by foreign forces in Libya, Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said in a statement on Saturday.

"We strongly urge both Libyan sides and the parties involved in the military operation to do everything possible in order to prevent the suffering of the civilian population and stop the violence as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

Moscow is mostly concerned about civilian casualties, the number of which is very likely to increase as the intervention proceeds.

Russian officials have steadily been against any foreign intervention into Libya’s domestic affairs, saying the West should let such turmoil-gripped countries choose their own way of development.

There are also concerns, mostly expressed by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Rogozin, that because of the foreign intervention, unrest may spread to other areas in North Africa.

Rogozin added that in his personal opinion, the US, UK, France and Italy are somewhat overstepping the bounds of the UN resolution.

Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Affairs CTTE, pointed out that the main goal of the UN Security Council resolution was originally to protect the civilian population, and not to overthrow the Gaddafi regime.

“My personal concern is that any military operation that is conducted by the West in the Arab world can lead to a very unpredictable scenario,” Margelov said, “All the parties involved in the conflict may get together and start fighting against the foreign invaders,” said Margelov.

Russia believes the only solution to the problem is that the two parties declare an immediate cease-fire and try to find a mutually acceptable political solution.

[/spoiler]

http://rt.com/news/military-full-swing-libya/

[spoiler]

Military strike on Libya begins

The United States and European and Arab nations began military action against Libya on Saturday in line with a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians from attacks by Libyan government forces.

French fighter jets have attacked troops loyal to leader Muammar al-Qadhafi, and the US and Britain have launched cruise missile attacks on Libyan air defense facilities.

France's defense ministry announced that its aircraft had destroyed military vehicles during an attack on Qadhafi's forces on Saturday afternoon.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said that the strikes will continue until Qadhafi agrees to a ceasefire.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement that his country had begun sending fighter jets to Libya.

The US Defense Department announced that more than 110 cruise missiles were launched from US and British naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. The attack targeted more than 20 Libyan air defense facilities.

The extent of the damage caused by the strikes is not yet known, but Libyan authorities told NHK that the airport in the capital city of Tripoli had been attacked.

A spokesperson for anti-government forces in the western city of Misrata told NHK by telephone that civilians are celebrating the launch of the military operations.

He said that immediate attacks on Libyan government forces are needed to protect civilians, and he urged the international forces to continue their strikes.

As the situation in Libya reaches a critical stage, the focus of attention is now on Qadhafi's response.

Sunday, March 20, 2011 07:37 +0900 (JST)

[/spoiler]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_08.html

NHK World report.

no grond invasion would be needed just strong words from the usa mainly, their the ones in league with the saudis and the israelites

I might have worded it wrong in my post, I'm against ground invasion in Libya. As for the other nations you mentionned, I think that not much more can be done than for other revolting nations outside of Libya. Saudi is involved in Bahrein, and Israël in Palestine. USA&co doesn't have to and cannot intervene everywhere there's troubles. The more involved you get, the more unpredictable and messy it gets.

[Juliette]

Also some Libyan generals defected weeks ago when they were asked to shoot civilians. That reminded me Tunisia/Egypt cases, where military refused to shoot civilians and only police did repression against civilians.

and the two figher jets that landed in malta.

the no fly zone is a good idea and no argument can go against that, but i will also say that if we interfere(sp? sozi'm drunk) in libya we should also interfear in bahrain(sp?) and palestine/israel

We'll agree to disagree on the no-fly zone being a good thing, but I'll agree with you that IF this intervention WOULD be legitimate, it would need to be applied to quite a few other countries around the world. Most of Africa, the Middle East, Birma, and so on, and so on. If we are going to express Western sovereignty, might as well do it consistently and globally.
I will still argue against the basis for intervention, though.

@Jim: Obama might not want to send troops into Libya, but there are much easier, sneakier ways to intervene. Take the Egyptian smugglers for example, fueling and feeding the Libyan terrorists. Plenty of ways to do it.
And if Obama does not give in to temptation to invade, who says your own Roi Solaire doesn't play his "mad hatter card"?

[Jixxi]

the basis might be for oil and the constant supply for it but it would still save lives and thats the most important thing

[Cole]

@Jim: Obama might not want to send troops into Libya, but there are much easier, sneakier ways to intervene. Take the Egyptian smugglers for example, fueling and feeding the Libyan terrorists. Plenty of ways to do it.
And if Obama does not give in to temptation to invade, who says your own Roi Solaire doesn't play his "mad hatter card"?

Well, it's obvious Egypt want to play a role at the borders, but I do think Egyptians can decide by themselves to help Libya, they don't need a manipulation coming from outside. They consider Libyans as oppressed as they considered to be by Mubarak, and thus will do anything to help their neighboors.
The only "Roi Solaire" I know of was Louis XIV (who would probably have seen Khadafi as a rival in the galaxy-sized egos leaders ). As for president Sarkozy, I don't think he will invade the country.
Edit: French ministry of foreign affairs confirmed there won't be ground attacks as the UN resolution stated.

[Iƒrit]

the basis might be for oil and the constant supply for it but it would still save lives and thats the most important thing

If we didn't involve ourselves at all that would save lives too.....
So you assert that long as we are profiting and saving lives in some fashion it is fine to enforce our will on other countries
To assert that killing saves lives is doublespeak.

[Jixxi]

the basis might be for oil and the constant supply for it but it would still save lives and thats the most important thing

If we didn't involve ourselves at all that would save lives too.....
So you assert that long as we are profiting and saving lives in some fashion it is fine to enforce our will on other countries
To assert that killing saves lives is doublespeak.

no just no i dont believe in americas forgeign policy i'm just saying if we go ahead with this no fly zone it will save lives. USA/EU not getting involved would cost more lives.

prove me wrong