Britain to send aircraft to enforce Libya no-fly

[March 18, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain will send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets "in the coming hours" to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya.

Cameron told lawmakers Friday that Britain will join a U.N.-authorized operation to stop Moammar Gadhafi from launching "a brutal attack using air, land and sea forces" on the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Cameron says the move is about saving lives and protecting people in Libya and insists it was "not about choosing the government of Libya."

Britain, France and NATO were holding emergency meetings Friday after the United Nations approved a no-fly zone over Libya. Cameron says Britain, France and Arab nations are to meet Saturday in Paris on no-fly zone.

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AP's earlier story is below.

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LONDON (AP) -- Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain will send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya.

Cameron told lawmakers Friday that Britain will join a U.N.-authorized operation to stop Moammar Gadhafi from launching "a brutal attack using air, land and sea forces" on the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Britain, France and NATO were holding emergency meetings Friday after the United Nations approved a no-fly zone over Libya.

British and French planes are expected to take part in the international military action. Cameron said several Arab nations had also offered to take part.

He assured legislators that the U.N. resolution excludes an occupation force "in any form on any part of Libyan territory."

[Associated Press]

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