PARIS: US and British forces fired Tomahawk cruise missiles following French warplanes air strikes in Libya Saturday, just hours after French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the launch of military action against Moamer Gaddafi’s forces.
He was backed by Western countries and Arab allies in their bid to stop Gaddafi’s offensive against rebels, but there was criticism from Russia and the African Union.
The first shots came after Sarkozy agreed at a Paris summit with European leaders, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League envoys to use air power to enforce a UN resolution.
In Washington later Saturday, a top military officer said US and British forces have fired at least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Gaddafi’s air defense sites.
Admiral William Gortney told reporters that “earlier this afternoon over 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from both US and British ships and submarines struck more than 20 integrated air defense systems and other air defense facilities ashore” in Libya.
