The missile attack on the Bab al-Aziziya compound of yesterday was described as an attack on a "Libyan Military Command Centre" which accrding to AFP was also declared as "successful".
Meantime, foreign journalists were accompanied to the site of the clearly destroyed three-storey building earlier. The attack was described as a "barbaric bombing" by official spokesman Mussa Ibrahim. He said no one had been hurt but declined to say whether Gaddafi himself was inside or near the compound.
Commenting on the possibility of targeting Gaddafi himself, UK defence secretary Liam Fox has told BBC Radio 5 that targeting Gaddafi himself could "potentially be a possibility" if civilians would not be harmed.
US defence secretary, Robert Gates, however responded negatively to Fox's comments. He said expanding the coalition's goals could divide it and that it was "unwise" to set such specific goals that might be unachievable.
and now I've just identified the last US Sub in the group, it was the...
USS Scranton (SSN-756) another Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine similar to the first sub in the group, the USS Providence, with the 3rd sub above being the USS Florida
A spokesman for the UK's Chief of Defence Staff says: "I can confirm that British armed forces have participated in another co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems. For a second time, the UK has launched guided Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) from a Trafalgar Class submarine in the Mediterranean as part of a co-ordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.
Note: I have now identified the submarine in question as the "HMS Triumph" nuclear-powered sub which is armed with Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and Spearfish wire-guided heavyweight torpedoes.
More on the possible hit around the Bab al-Aziziya compound reported earlier: According to AFP, an administrative building inside Col Gaddafi's compound has been "completely destroyed" by a missile.
It is not clear whether the said missile was in fact targeting this building or some other target in the vicinity.
The White House says it does not recognise Libya's latest ceasefire and will continue to enforce the UN resolution.
Britian's David Cameron had this to say: "Everyone will recall that in recent days Colonel Gaddafi declared a ceasefire which was promptly violated ... We said then we would judge him on his actions not his words - and we will do so again."
As I advised minutes ago I have managed to identify some further vessels involved in the operation, these include 2 further Italian vessels, namely the "MM Etna" and the "MM Euro", a further Aircaft Carrier on the way being the French "FS Charles de Gaulle" and I have also identified the British Submarine I listed as 'unidentified' yesterday which is the "HMS Triumph" (Details below)
Full list is as follows: United States: USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) Blue Ridge class command ship 6th Fleet USS Ponce (LPD-15) Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Barry (DDG-52) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile Destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile Destroyer USS Mason (DDG-87) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile Destroyer USS Providence (SSN-719) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine 2 Further unidentified Submarines
Great Britian: HMS Westminster (F237) Type 23 Frigate HMS Triumph (S93) Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine -others- HMS Cumberland (F85) Broadsword-class Type 22 Frigate (left region, now near Cagliari, Italy) HMS York (D98) Type 42 Destroyer (left mediterranean, now in Madiera)
France: FS Tourville (D610) Tourville-class (Type F67) Destroyer FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier (currently on its way)
Italy: MM Andrea Doria (D553) 'Linea Orrizonte' Type, anti-aircraft Frigate MM Fenice (F557) Minerva Class Corvette MM Giuseppe Garibaldi (D551) Aircraft Carrier (currently on its way) MM Etna (A5326) Etna Class LSV Logistic Support Vessel MM Euro (F575) Maestrale-class Frigate possibly other unidentified vessels
Reuters reports explosions and small arms fire, lasting around 40 minutes, heard in central Benghazi.
While the Rebel Voice of Free Libya radio says the insurgents have driven Col Gaddafi's forces from the south-western suburbs of Benghazi and surrounded them at the port of Al-Zwitinah, 80 miles (130km) south of the city.
Tom, actually there's more vessels out there, that list is what I compiled of the warships I have confirmed so far. In the mean time I've identified at least 3 more, will issue an update soon.
Asked about the targeting of colonel Gaddafi, US Military spokesman Vice Admiral Bill Gortney states: "If he happens to be in a place, if he's inspecting a surface-to-air missile site, we don't have any idea that he's there or not, then yeah, but no, we're not targeting his residence this time."
Reuters also confirms an explosion in the area, reports a plume of smoke was seen rising toward the sky from the direction of Gaddafi's home in the Bab el-Aziziya compound - which sits in the heart of a south Tripoli suburb. However building hit cannot be confirmed.
"The shooting is much closer to our position now, but we still can't hear any aircraft. Of course, they may be flying too high, or the fire may be targeting missiles, as they were last night. It is impossible to see from here, though we have a good view of the city, we can't see any smoke or any fires breaking out.
But all around us, there is anti-aircraft fire going off. So there is an expectation of something happening, if it hasn't already..."
Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Tripoli, says she is unable to confirm claims of the Gaddafi regime that last night's bombardment deliberately targeted civilians.
She said that despite repeated requests, International press have not been allowed to go to the sites of the airstrikes and therefore can neither confirm nor negate these claims.
Al Jazeera reports that armed anti-Gaddafi fighters are once again advancing eastwards from the city of Benghazi, in an attempt to break the siege imposed by Gaddafi's troops on Ajdabiya.
In addition to the 6 Italians, the above vessel also has two Indians and a Ukrainian amongst its crew. The vessel with the (presumed pro-Gaddafi)armed militia aboard is now heading towards an offshore oil rig.
British special forces have been on the ground in Libya for weeks, preparing for possible operations, according to German newsmagazine Focus.
Members of the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service have reportedly been noting the locations of potential targets, such as fighter jets and communications facilities.
Dear Bolly, unlike you I do not just see things one-sided but strive to report what is happening and reflect both sides even reporting and quoting statements that I personally disbelieve.
And just to clarify NATO is not as yet particpating in this crisis since member Turkey is against any action. Individual NATO member countries are acting in their own right under the UN Resolution 1973 and participating countries soon joining includes non-Nato members.
Amr Mohammed Moussa, the head of the Arab League says that military operations have gone beyond what the Arab League had backed, saying:
"What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians."
A group of 8 Danish F16s are said to have left Sigonella airbase in Sicily heading for Misurata while a further group of eight Italian aircraft are today ready to join operations.
Aircraft from Qatar are moving into position in preparation to join the military operation in Libya while Aircraft from the United Arab Emirates are due to arrive at the Decimomannu air force base on the Italian island of Sardinia.
The base is already hosting four Spanish F18 fighter jets that arrived yesterday.
Residents in Misurata reported pro-Gaddafi snipers positioned on rooftops in the city and rebel fighters speak of pro-Gaddafi tanks within the city and armed boats blocking the port.
Al Jazeera reorts many injuries amid fierce street fighting.
Italy reports 8 of its nationals captured aboard an oil-rig support vessel by armed gunmen. The vessel was in Tripoli harbour when armed gunmen took control of the vessel Saturday. the vessel is now reported to have left harbour with the gunmen presumably aboard.
Gaddafi has spoken on Libyan state TV this morning in a voice-only speech. He is reported to have said, "We will not allow the enemies to come defeat us, we have already defeated the Italians", refering to the gaining of the country's independence from the ex-colonial power.
zeus911 Forum Posts (1,000)
Libya - Latest Updates Part III
The missile attack on the Bab al-Aziziya compound of yesterday was described as an attack on a "Libyan Military Command Centre" which accrding to AFP was also declared as "successful".Meantime, foreign journalists were accompanied to the site of the clearly destroyed three-storey building earlier. The attack was described as a "barbaric bombing" by official spokesman Mussa Ibrahim. He said no one had been hurt but declined to say whether Gaddafi himself was inside or near the compound.
Commenting on the possibility of targeting Gaddafi himself, UK defence secretary Liam Fox has told BBC Radio 5 that targeting Gaddafi himself could "potentially be a possibility" if civilians would not be harmed.
US defence secretary, Robert Gates, however responded negatively to Fox's comments. He said expanding the coalition's goals could divide it and that it was "unwise" to set such specific goals that might be unachievable.