The UK, US and France have attacked Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the first action to enforce a UN-mandated no-fly zone.
Pentagon officials say the US and the UK have fired more than 110 missiles, while French planes struck pro-Gaddafi forces attacking rebel-held Benghazi.Col Gaddafi has vowed retaliation and said he would open arms depots to the people to defend Libya.
Cruise missiles hit air-defence sites in the capital, Tripoli, and Misrata.
Analysis
At 0230 there was a loud barrage of anti-aircraft fire, but I could hear no sounds of incoming ordnance, and apart from that there's been no audible sign of the war here in Tripoli.
That is not to say targets on the periphery of the city have not been hit. State TV says 48 civilians have been killed and more than 100 wounded. Last night the speaker of the parliament said hospitals were filling up and that there had been a bombardment of a civilian part of the city, but there's been no independent confirmation of that.
We're reporting under restricted circumstances and can't go out independently. It's easy to find people swearing undying loyalty to Col Gaddafi - and there's no doubting their sincerity - but you wonder what's in the heads of the many millions who do not take part in these angry demonstrations of support for the leader.
Libyan state TV broadcast footage it says showed some of the 150 people wounded in the attacks. It said 48 people had been killed. There was no independent confirmation of the deaths.
Hundreds of Col Gaddafi's supporters have gathered at his Bab al-Aziziyah palace and the international airport to serve as human shields, state TV said.The AFP news agency reports that bombs were dropped near the palace, which the US also attacked in 1986.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, heavy bursts of anti-aircraft fire arced into the sky above Tripoli and several explosions were heard.
Sources in Tripoli told BBC Arabic that the attacks on the city had so far targeted the eastern areas of Sawani, Airport Road, and Ghasheer. These are all areas believed to host military bases.
The Western forces began their action on Saturday, after Libyan government forces attacked the main rebel-held city of Benghazi - Col Gaddafi's allies accused the rebels of breaking the ceasefire:
- A French plane fired the first shots against Libyan government targets at 1645 GMT on Saturday, destroying military vehicles near Benghazi, according to a military spokesman
- At least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from US destroyers and submarine, said a Pentagon official
- A British submarine and Tornado jets fired missiles at Libyan military targets, the UK Ministry of Defence said
- There were also strikes near the western city of Misrata
- France has denied Libyan claims to have shot down a French plane
- Canada is also sending warplanes to the region, while Italy has offered the use of its military bases
- A naval blockade against Libya is being put in place.
Gaddafi: Libyans should defend themselves against "international aggression" (Audio only)
This will determine the outcome of the campaign, he adds.
Russia and China, which abstained from the UN Security Council resolution approving the use of force in Libya, have urged all parties to stop fighting, as has the African Union.
After the missile bombardment and the air strikes, Col Gaddafi made a brief speech calling on people to resist.
"Civilian and military targets in the air and sea will be liable to serious danger in the Mediterranean," he said.
The Libyan leader called the attacks "a colonialist crusade of aggression. This can lead to open a new crusade war."
Our correspondent says it is now clear that Col Gaddafi's strategy is to portray the attacks as an act of colonialist aggression and rally enough of the Libyan people behind him to maintain his grip on power.
'Legal and right'
Coalition forces
- US: Firing guided missiles from USS Barry and USS Stout; providing amphibious warships, and command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney
- France: Carried out mission with at least 12 warplanes including Mirage fighters and Rafale jets; deploying aircraft carrier, warships
- UK: Providing Typhoon and Tornado jet fighters; surveillance planes; HMS Westminster and HMS Cumberland; submarines
- Italy: Nato base at Naples understood to be central hub; other Mediterranean bases made available
- Canada: Providing six F-18 fighter jets and 140 personnel
US President Barack Obama, speaking during a visit to Brazil, said the US was taking "limited military action" as part of a "broad coalition".
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," he said.He repeated that no US ground troops would take part.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said that launching military action against Libya was "necessary, legal and right".
The international community was intervening to stop the "murderous madness" of Col Gaddafi, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
"In Libya, the civilian population, which is demanding nothing more than the right to choose their own destiny, is in mortal danger," he warned. "It is our duty to respond to their anguished appeal."
Rebels in the city said thousands of people were fleeing the attack, heading east, and the UN refugee agency said it was preparing to receive 200,000 refugees from Libya.
Col Gaddafi has ruled Libya for more than 40 years. An uprising against him began last month after the long-time leaders of neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt were toppled.
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A joint operation to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone over Libya has begun. Here we look at some of the British and French fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft likely to be involved.
UK AIRCRAFT
Typhoon - Eurofighter
Typhoon
- Crew: 1
- Speed: 2 Mach
- Weapons: Air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM, ASRAAM),Brimstone, Enhanced Paveway, Paveway IV
The RAF's Typhoon, or Eurofighter, is an agile aircraft which could be used in air-to-air combat if the Libyan airforce tries to get airborne.
Typhoons were built to criteria set by the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy to replace the Tornado fighter. It boasts stealth technology and weapons systems include medium and short-range air-to-air missiles and various air-to-ground weapons. The Typhoon entered service with the RAF in 2003, primarily based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Leuchars in Scotland. It has also been operational in the Falkland Islands since September 2009.
Tornado
Tornado GR4
- Crew: 2
- Max speed: 1.3 Mach
- Weapons: Storm Shadow, Brimstone, ALARM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, Paveway II, Paveway III, Enhanced Paveway, General Purpose Bombs, Mauser 27mm cannon
- Source: RAF
The Tornado has been one of the mainstays of the RAF since first entering service in 1980 and the aircraft were used to enforce no-fly zones in Iraq.
It is mainly used as a strike or attack aircraft and could have a key role in taking out Libyan surface-to-air missile systems. Weapons such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile mean that the Tornado can hit targets from a significant distance. The MoD describes the missile as being designed for "long range, highly accurate, deep penetration" against enemy command and control bunkers. It is fired from a Tornado GR4.
Tornado GR4s are also equipped with Brimstone missiles, an effective anti-armour weapon and can also be used for all-weather, day and night tactical reconnaissance.
Nimrod
Nimrod R1 reconnaissance aircraft, derivative of the maritime patrol version, are expected to be involved in surveillance operations.
The suite of monitoring systems are used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence. It can sit over an area, flying at low speeds for long periods - which can be extended by mid-air refuelling.The Nimrod R1s are operated by No 51 Squadron, from RAF Waddington.
Sentinel
Sentinel R1
- Crew: 5
- Speed: 0.89 Mach
- Systems: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI)
The Sentinel R1 aircraft, used in intelligence operations in Afghanistan, is also expected to be used in any Libya mission.
It is part of the Sentinel system which is made up of air, land and support segments.The aircraft are converted Bombardier Global Express aircraft which are fitted with radar and monitoring systems which can be used to track and target enemy ground forces.
The reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to be scrapped after the UK withdraws its forces from Afghanistan.
FRENCH AIRCRAFT
France is clearly one of the key players in this crisis.In diplomatic terms it has been one of the main promoters of UN Security Council resolution 1973 allowing the use of force. French aircraft, thought to be Rafale fighters, according to reports from Paris, have been the first to operate over Libya ensuring, according to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, that Libyan government aircraft cannot operate over the Benghazi.
Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale
Crew: 1/2Speech: 1.8 Mach
Weapons: Air-to-ground missile, including Apache and Exocet, air-to-air missiles and anti-ship missiles
The Dassault Rafale is a multi-role, twin-engined delta wing aircraft capable of mounting air defence, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
It is operated by the French Air Force and a variant of the plane is the mainstay of the French Navy, operating from the carrier Charles de Gaulle.The Rafale carries a sophisticated electronic survival system named Spectra. It can detect and track up to eight targets simultaneously and generate 3D maps for navigation and targeting.
Mirage 2000
Mirage 2000
Crew: 1/2Speed: 2.2 Mach
Weapons: built-in twin DEFA 554 30mm revolver-type cannons. Air-to-air missiles
Again a multi-role fighter, the descendant of the famous Mirage III of the 1960s. Entered service in 1982 but some were extensively modernised in the late 1980s to fill a gap until the Rafale entered service. There is also a strike version of the aircraft, the Mirage 2000D.
Mirage F1This is an older model from the Mirage stable, the first aircraft entering service in 1983. While there are several variants, the most important in current front-line service is the Mirage F1CR which is a highly specialised reconnaissance platform carrying cameras, and optical and electronic sensors.
CANADIAN AIRCRAFT
CF-18 Hornet
CF-18 Hornet
Crew: 1/2Speed: 1.7 Mach
Weapons: Vulcan cannon. Four AIM-9M Sidewinders - supersonic, heat-seeking air-to-air missiles
The Canadian Armed Forces' front-line multi-role fighter used for air superiority and tactical support (pictured here is the US version).
Canada has committed six Hornets to help enforce the no-fly zone. The Canadian jets were seen at Prestwick airport in Scotland on Saturday where they landed for a refuelling stop before heading towards the Mediterranean. The aircraft is equipped with a sophisticated radar system that can track targets in all weather and from great distances. A Sniper Advanced Targeting pod, which contains an infra-red (heat-sensitive) camera and TV camera, allows pilots to see targets at night and in low visibility conditions.
The pod also has a laser designator to guide precision bombing, and a laser spot tracker. The newly acquired Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) allows the pilot to effectively designate targets anywhere around the aircraft.
Missile types
Tomohawk cruise missile
Tomahawk missile
- Long-range weapon designed to hit strategic targets with minimum collateral damage
- Able to deliver 1,000lb (450kg) warhead to a range of about 1,000 miles (1,600km)
- Can fly at low or high altitude
It was originally developed to deliver a nuclear payload, but proved its use in the two Allied wars against Saddam Hussein's Iraq, and against Serbian targets in Bosnia as a means of delivering conventional explosives.
Each missile usually carries a 1000lb charge, specially shaped to penetrate hardened concrete buildings. Select key to change view...
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