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Libyan Military Intensifies Airstrikes as G8 Debates Response

VOA News March 14, 2011

Libyan forces pounded rebel enclaves with new airstrikes Monday as world powers gathered in Paris to discuss possible responses to the assaults.

Following the Arab League's backing of a no-fly zone upon Libya last week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy will reportedly use the meeting to push for a consensus supporting the action.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is joining the discussion of key industrialized nations known as the Group of Eight. Clinton is also due to hold talks with representatives of the Libyan opposition council in Paris.

The United States is participating in planning for a no-fly zone, but has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of such a measure, and wants a clear legal mandate before taking action.

Sarkozy said while France does not back a military option on the ground it does support a no-fly zone. He has also raised the possibility of targeted strikes in Libya if the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi aim at the population.

Speaking to BBC radio on Monday, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the international community was closing in on a decision about military intervention against Libya - with a no-fly zone one of the leading propositions.

The Libyan assaults dropped at least four shells on the opposition-held eastern town of Ajdabiyah on Monday.

Rebels had moved toward the town, after fleeing the oil port of Brega amid heavy shelling from advancing government forces.

Libyan state television said Monday the government would offer amnesty to any soldier who had defected to join the rebels, but returns and surrenders to the military.

Libyan leader Gadhafi's forces have staged a rapid offensive into the opposition stronghold of eastern Libya in recent days, capturing two other rebel-held towns - Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawwad.

Lightly armed and poorly organized opposition fighters have not been able to stop the advance of Gadhafi loyalists using aircraft, tanks and heavy weapons.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.