Qaddafi is moving on Benghazi with an all out attack after the UN imposed a no-fly zone on the ruthless dictator of Libya. French aviators flying from Saint Dizier are the first on the scene. There will undoubtedly be more sorties by European and Arab air forces. The photo at left shows a jet shot down over Benghazi.
[shoot down video]. Onlookers
cheered as it plummeted to the ground erupting into a huge cloud of black smoke on impact. A closer photo than previously posted shows the rebel pilot ejected from what appears to be a Russian built aircraft. He did not survive. French President Sarkozy told British Prime Minister Cameron the French commitment to military action was total. Qaddafi warned western leaders in an open letter, "You will regret it if you dare intervene in our country." Air forces from Canada, Denmark and the US arrived at Italian airbases Saturday. Meanwhile, Qaddafi forces are shelling the city, his tanks are moving through the streets, and rebel casualties are mounting.
The Cable blog quoting Congressmen on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said the United States government wants to play a supporting role in the international effort to protect Libyan civilians. The Democratic congressman cautioned that while there is international consensus Col. Qaddafi must leave power, there is no consensus on how that might come about. The United Nations has made it clearer in its resolution establishing the no-fly zone that arming rebels is in line with "all means necessary" to enforce the Security Council's decision.
