Libya: First attack by the international coalition

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Gaddafi fighter jet shot down in Benghazi

A few hours after 22 countries met in Paris and agreed on military measures to protect civilians from the Gaddafi regime, the United States and Great Britain launched 112 cruise missiles at Libya. According to the Pentagon, the strikes hit more than 20 targets, including some of the air defense systems. France, the first to launch an attack, sent about 20 aircraft, which were used on Saturday, according to the French military.

According to a French official, the targeted attacks (by aircraft and cruise missiles) are being coordinated from a US headquarters reportedly located in Germany. More than twenty French, Canadian, British, and Italian ships are participating in this operation, authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 1973. Among them are eleven American vessels.

For his part, Gaddafi told state media that he considers the ongoing military operations to be "unjustified cross-aggression."

The bombing continues

Despite the ceasefire, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi continued their advance on Zintan this afternoon. Zintan had already been the scene of fierce fighting Thursday evening and Friday morning. This morning, intensive shelling rocked southwestern Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in eastern Libya.