Posted on 03/19/2011 1:04:01 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – The French air force destroyed Libyan tanks and armored vehicles on Saturday, the first shots fired in a U.N.-mandated military intervention to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
A French defense ministry official said "a number of tanks and armored vehicles" were destroyed in the region of Benghazi, with initial action focusing on stopping Gaddafi's forces from advancing on the rebels' eastern stronghold.
Gaddafi's troops pushed into the outskirts of Benghazi on Saturday after a unilateral ceasefire declared by his government failed to materialize, prompting leaders meeting in Paris on Saturday to announce the start of military intervention.
"Those taking part agreed to put in place all necessary means, especially military, to enforce the decisions of the United Nations Security Council," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after meeting Western and Arab leaders.
Sarkozy said an operation supported by France, Britain, the United States and Canada, and backed by Arab nations, would continue unless the Libyan leader ceased fire.
"Colonel Gaddafi has made this happen," British Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters after the meeting. "We cannot allow the slaughter of civilians to continue."
Some analysts have questioned the strategy for the military intervention, fearing western forces might be sucked into a long civil war despite their current insistence they have no plans to send ground troops to Libya.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper suggested that outside powers hoped their intervention would be enough to turn the tide against Gaddafi and allow Libyans to force him out.
"It is our belief that if Mr. Gaddafi loses the capacity to enforce his will through vastly superior armed forces, he simply will not be able to sustain his grip on the country."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I disagree with this whole action. We should not be involved in this.
Agree. Our national interest is not at stake here...which is exactly why the libs think it’s a good idea.
Well, I guess their Fix It Again Tony plant in Libya will be closing down soon.......
bttt
Muzzies killing each other, where's the down side?
Time to charge Hussein with war crimes before the World Court.
I agree. I sort of like it that the French fired the first shot. But Obummer should not be swaggering around saying that Mumar has to go. Disconnect and embarrassing.
Is it Vietnam yet?
Our troops are murdering Civilians!
The war is already lost!
Obama lied and people died!
This is just about oil!
This is an illegal war!
The Dems believe this war will get obummer reelected.
“Well since Code Pink isnt camping out on Obama’s lawn, let me fill in for them!
Is it Vietnam yet?
Our troops are murdering Civilians!
The war is already lost!
Obama lied and people died!
This is just about oil!
This is an illegal war! “
AND
It’s a Quagmire!!!!
“I disagree with this whole action. We should not be involved in this.”
Exactly. I find it so astounding how everyone is so gung ho about Libya, yet we did NOTHING about the Iranian government doing a Tiananmen Square-style crackdown on pro-freedom demonstrators in Tehran and all across Iran the other year.
This just makes my blood boil.
It’s moving and heartwarming to see and hear how the UN Security Councel decided to come to the aid of the poor Libyan people who have been so oppressed by its unworthy leader, Col. Qaddafi.
The French are jumping on Daffy and the US will probably join in soon. So many well-meaning and chivalrous nations simultaneously showing their magnanimity by their caring for a suppressed people.
The people of North Korea who have not known freedom in a generation and whose oppression by their leader far exceeds that of Daffy’s for his, must silently be be hoping that these gallant nations would notice their dismal plight soon and free them from their tyrannical regime.
Sorry NORKS, you’re on your own. You ain’t Muslims and you ain’t got no oil.
Another Clinton op. The Pentagon briefer just said 110 cruise missiles at 20+ targets.
We chase one bad guy out for another to take his place,Now if they hit the Pan Am Bomber with a cruise Missile that would be OK!
Sure you can. Darfur.
Here is the recently updated AOL News posting on the Libyan scene. Now I am going out and enjoy a warm spring afternoon.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/19/warplane-shot-down-libya_n_837911.html
Good for you! Have fun! ;)
backed by Arab nations...
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