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Libya

froggg

By froggg
in The Jim Smith Room

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froggg

froggg

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Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that British Tornado and Typhoon aircraft are being deployed immediately to enforce a United Nations no-fly zone in Libya.

"At Cabinet this morning, we agreed the UK will play its part," Mr Cameron told the House of Commons.

"Britain will deploy Tornados and Typhoons as well as air-to-air refuelling and surveillance aircraft."

Mr Cameron added: "Our forces will join an international operation to enforce the resolution if Gaddafi fails to comply with its demand that he ends attacks on civilians.

"Preparations to deploy these aircraft have already started and in the coming hours they will move to bases from where they can start to take the necessary action."

The announcement came after Libya closed its air space to all traffic in a move seen to thwart the UN imposition of the no-fly zone.

French, British and US military planners have been discussing how to enforce the no-fly zone with the help of other nations.

Sources tell Sky News that the Royal Navy is also preparing to send more warships to the North African and eastern Mediterranean regions.

The Ministry of Defence, however, has downplayed an enlarged naval role at this stage.

The news comes amid reports of Libyan forces undertaking a sustained anti-rebel operation in the western town of Misratah.

"There have been heavy bombardments since 7 o'clock this morning. They are bombing everything, the houses, the centre of the city," a rebel named Saadoun said.

"It's the heaviest bombardment I have seen so far."

(sky news)

Thoughts anyone..

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froggg

froggg

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The Libyan government has announced an immediate ceasefire, less than two hours after Prime Minister David Cameron said British fighter jets would be deployed to enforce a United Nations no-fly zone.

Foreign Minister Mousa Kousa said Libya was declaring an immediate ceasefire and stopping all military operations against rebels.

Mr Kousa said the government would also "open dialogue channels" to ensure there was sustained peace in Libya.

But the Reuters news agency reported government troops were still shelling the rebel-held western city of Misratah, killing at least 25 people including children.

International relations experts said the Libyan announcement of a ceasefire gives the regime of dictator Muammar Gaddafi breathing space as the UN-backed states work on a response.

libyan foreign minister: we have declared a ceasefire

Oliver Miles, former British ambassador to Libya, told Sky News: "I think he has taken a step that no one foresaw.

"It is very difficult to read Gaddafi's mind but I think he sees this as a way of holding back the military attack."

Sky's Lisa Holland, reporting from Tripoli, said: "It is very, very interesting to hear this complete change in the regime's rhetoric.

"The language has changed dramatically and now they are talking about saving civilians - last night the regime was warning Benghazi residents they were coming to get them."

Armoured Libyan anti-aircraft tracked vehicles are considered as a no-fly threat

After the ceasefire was announced, Mr Cameron responded to the 11th-hour decision by Mr Gaddafi.

"We will judge him by his actions and not his words - he must stop what he is doing and brutalising his people."

Prime Minister David Cameron had earlier told the House of Commons: "Britain will deploy Tornados and Typhoons as well as air-to-air refuelling and surveillance aircraft.

"Our forces will join an international operation to enforce the resolution if Gaddafi fails to comply with its demand that he ends attacks on civilians.

"Preparations to deploy these aircraft have already started and in the coming hours they will move to bases from where they can start to take the necessary action."

(sky news)

Do we believe him?

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smiffy

smiffy

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Its a little bit daft since Mr Cameron decided to cut the defense budget otherwise we'd have more planes to fight with! However we need to get rid of Gadaffi, to stop people getting killed.
Yeah, so how come we are not in Congo, and other African states where thousands have been killed ???
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uttoxram75

uttoxram75

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Bahrain's royal family have called in Saudi Arabian troops to help them kill their own people. Luckily the King of Bahrain has been invited to William and Kate's wedding so we won't be attacking his country any time soon.

Hope he buys them a decent toaster or a generous Argos voucher.

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ladyram

ladyram

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Don't forget going to Iraq helped keep down fuel prices NOT !!!

£1.40 per litre !!!!

What other country of our size is fighting in three different theaters

Afganistan Iraq & now Libia.

Strictly speaking, we're not actually fighting in Libya yet and it would be the RAF that go in because we haven't got enough ground troops to spare anyway, just like America. That's why a ground invasion has been ruled out me thinks.

Have we really got the resources to be able to sustain 3 different conflicts? I seriously doubt it.

My opinion is it's all going to kick off in Libya soon, big time. If the pictures coming out of Libya are anything to go by, it appears they have broken the ceasefire.

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smiffy

smiffy

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So if there is another popular uprising in China,and they us military force to put it down, will Cameron go to the UN for a cease fire zone over China, and similarly if Russia do the same in another of their republics.

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