French warplanes fly reconnaissance missions over Libya (& Full Text of President Sarkozy's Speech)

Turborama

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Sat Mar-19-11 10:06 AM
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French warplanes fly reconnaissance missions over Libya (& Full Text of President Sarkozy's Speech)

Edited on Sat Mar-19-11 10:42 AM by Turborama

Source: AFP

Several French Rafale fighter jets on Saturday overflew "all Libyan territory" on reconnaissance missions on Saturday, a French military source told AFP.

The warplanes took off in the afternoon from their base at Saint-Dizier in eastern France, the source said.

The reconnaissance missions will take place all Saturday afternoon and the planes encountered no problems after several hours overflying Libyan territory, the source added.

Read more: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=251995

Libya Live Blog - March 19
By Al Jazeera Staff in Africa
on March 18th, 2011.

This work is licensed under Creative Commons. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0">

5:25pm
Here, as promised, is a full transcript of President Sarkozy's comments, made a few minutes ago.

"Together, we have decided to ensure the resolution of the Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire and the stopping of fighting in Libya. The participants have agreed to apply all means necessary, in particular military ones, to respect the decisions of the UN Security Council.

"That is why in agreement with our partners, our air forces will fight any aggression on behalf of Colonel Gaddafi against the population of Benghazi. Our planes will prevent aerial attacks on the town. Other French planes are ready to intervene against tanks who would threaten civilian people.

"From yesterday, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Arab countries have sent to Colonel Gaddafi and to the troops that he employs the follow warning: in the absence of an immediate ceasefire, and failing a withdrawal of the forces that have attacked the civilian population over the last few weeks, our countries will resort to military action.

"This warning was repeated by all the participants at the summit that has just concluded. Colonel Gaddafi has disregarded this warning. During the last few hours his troops have intensified their deadly offensive.

"Arab countries have chosen to free themselves from the slavery in which they felt themselves trapped for too long. These revolutions have created an enormous hope in the heart of all those who share the values of democracy and the rights of man.

"But it is not without risk. The future of these Arab people belongs to them. In the midst of all the difficulties and challenges that they have been faced with these Arab populations need our help and our support and it is our duty.

"In Libya, a civilian population which is passive which requires nothing further than the right to choose itself its destiny finds itself in danger of life. We have a duty to respond to its angst-ridden call.

"The future of Libya belongs to the Libyans. We do not want to take a decision on their behalf. The fight that they are undergoing is their's. If we intervene on the side of Arab nations, it is not to impose on the Libyan people, but to apply to a universal conscience that cannot tolerate such crimes.

"Today, our intervening in Libya with the mandate of the UNSC, with our partners, namely our Arab partners, we do it to protect the civilian population, and to protect it from the deadly madness of a regime which by assassinating and killing its own people has lost any legitimacy. We intervene to allow the Libya people to choose itself, its destiny.

"It cannot be prevented from these rights through terror and violence.

"There is still time for Colonel Gaddafi to avoid the worst by agreeing unreservedly to all the requirements of the international community.

"The door of diplomacy will reopen when the fighting will stop. Our determination is total, and I say it with solemnity. Everyone now finds themselves faced with their responsibilities. It is a serious decision that we have been forced to take, together with our Arab partners, our European partners, our North American partners, France has decided to take up its role in front of history."

4:53pm
Major points from that Sarkozy speech include a statement that those present at the summit in Paris have agreed to ensure that the UN Security Council resolution is implemented and that an immediate ceasefire is declared.

He said that the international community has "agreed to apply all means necessary".

International aircraft will "prevent aerial attacks" on Benghazi and will protect civilians.

He also said the "door to diplomacy will reopen when the fighting will stop".

Full transcript to follow.

4:51pm
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has just made a short speech to the press in Paris. Quotes soon.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19