Thousands Flee Qaddafi's Troops As West Goes Into Action Over Libya

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Thousands Flee Qaddafi's Troops As West Goes Into Action Over Libya

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 19.03.2011 15:29

France says one of its aircraft has destroyed a military vehicle in Libya as military action against forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi begins.

The French armed forces said the operation against Qaddafi's forces involved some 20 planes in an area around the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

Other air forces and navies are expected to join the French.

Earlier on March 19, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said allied air forces had gone into action over Libya to prevent Qaddafi's forces from attacking Benghazi.

Speaking after European, U.S., and Arab leaders met in Paris to discuss arrangements for military action against Libya, Sarkozy said the international community was intervening to stop Qaddafi's "murderous madness."

In a joint declaration, the participants demanded that Qaddafi halt all military action and allow humanitarian aid into the country.

France's partners such as Canada, Denmark, and the United States have reportedly started to deploy aircraft at air bases in the region, including Italy.

Meanwhile, thousands of people were reported to be fleeing eastward from Benghazi as government troops attacked the city's western suburbs.

The city is suffering bombardment by artillery and rockets in all districts, and at least two air strikes targeted Benghazi early on March 19, reports say. An aircraft was seen coming down on a residential area.

A rebel spokesman said forces loyal to Qaddafi had advanced into the suburbs from the west amid sustained shelling today and overnight.

The Libyan government says its forces are acting only in self-defense against rebel attacks and denied breaking the unilateral cease-fire.

Qaddafi To World: 'You Have No Right'

In letters read out by government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim, Qaddafi warned the international community against intervention.

"Libya is not yours. Libya is for the Libyans. The Secretary Council resolution is invalid," he said in a letter addressed to French and British leaders and UN chief Ban.

"This is injustice, it's a clear aggression, and it's uncalculated risk for its consequences on the Mediterranean and Europe," the letter continued.

"You have no right never, you have no right ever to intervene in our internal affairs, who gave you the right to intervene in our internal affairs? You will regret it if you take the step towards intervening in our internal affairs."

Qaddafi's letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, however, had a slightly more conciliatory tone. He said Libya was fighting against Al-Qaeda forces.

"What would you do if you find them controlling American cities with the power of weapons? Tell me how would you behave so I follow your example," that letter said.

On March 18, U.S. officials accused Qaddafi's forces of already violating the new UN Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate cease-fire in the Libyan conflict.

President Obama warned that Qaddafi faces international military action if he fails to comply with the UN resolution and pull back his forces from Benghazi and other cities.

"Let me be clear: these terms are not negotiable. These terms are not subject to negotiation," Obama said. "If Qaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences, and the resolution will be enforced through military action."

Obama said the United States would not deploy ground forces in Libya, and added that Washington was also "not going to use force to go beyond a well-defined goal -- specifically, the protection of civilians in Libya."

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/libya_qaddafi_forces_push_into_rebel_city/2343290.html

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Thousands Flee Qaddafi's Troops As West Goes Into Action Over Libya