US says five-nation coalition launching Libya strikes
President Barack Obama, speaking from Brazil, said the United States has begun “limited military” action in Libya. Obama added he was deeply aware of the risks to U.S. forces.
A five-country coalition including the United States, France, Britain, Canada and Italy is launching the strikes on Libya designed to cripple Moammar Kadafi’s air defenses, the Pentagon said on Saturday.
Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that British forces are in action over Libya.
The air strikes will mainly target air defenses around the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Misrata, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity, in a joint operation called “Odyssey Dawn.”
U.S. forces and planes will take part, he said.
Some 25 coalition ships, including three U.S. submarines armed with Tomahawk missiles, and are stationed in the Mediterranean, a military slide showed. Five U.S. surveillance planes are also in the area, it showed.
Libyan TV claims airstrikes hit civilian areas in Tripoli, but the report could not be independently confirmed.
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