France, Britain ready to hit Libya, says Sarkozy
March 11th, 2011 - 9:06 pm ICT by IANS
Brussels/Moscow, March 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Britain are ready to launch “targeted air strikes” on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces if they use chemical weapons or warplanes against civilians.
As he arrived in Brussles for an emergency EU summit on Libya Friday, Sarkozy said he would urge European leaders to follow France’s lead in recognising the Libyan rebel leadership, the National Libyan Council.
He urged defensive limited strikes on Gaddafi’s key military command positions as pro-Gaddafi forces were reported to be retaking control of the cities of Zawiya and Ras Lanuf, previously held by the rebels.
Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron are in Brussels to win EU backing for a UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.
Russia joined the UN arms embargo on Libya Thursday, but says it is opposed to western military intervention.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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