France strikes Libyan military vehicle

PanARMENIAN.Net - Allied fighter jets have taken to the skies over Libya after leader Muammar Gaddafi apparently defied the UN’s demand that he stop attacking his own people. British ships are also involved in a naval blockade of the country, sources told Sky News, as the world launched a co-ordinated response based on an earlier UN resolution to protect Libyan civilians, Sky News reported.

A French defence official also confirmed one of their fighter jets had fired on a Libyan military vehicle. News of the developments emerged after a summit of world leaders on the conflict was held in Paris, hosted by Nicolas Sarkozy.

Leaders of nations supporting the UN-backed no-fly zone warned after the meeting that "immediate military action" would be taken because of ceasefire breaches. British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The time for action has come and it needs to be urgent. "Colonel Gaddafi has made this happen - he lied to the international community." Mr Sarkozy added that military force would be used "in the absence of an immediate ceasefire" because "the Libyan people need our help."

Observers now believe selected targets in Libya will be hit within the next 24 hours. US secretary of state Hillary Clinton confirmed that they were not involved in the first action over Libya.

Earlier in the day rebels said a jet fighter operated by one of their number crashed as it tried to take on pro-Gaddafi militia, which they say are attacking them in breach of a ceasefire announced on Friday.

Reports said Libyan forces intend to deploy 'human shields' to thwart any UN-backed bombing campaign.

State news agency Jana reported that civilians were converging on government facilities believed to be bombing targets for an impending UN-backed air intervention force.