Coalition forces have intensified their attacks in Libya but have been unable
to prevent Col Muammar Gaddafi's tanks entering the key town of Misurata, it
was reported on Thursday evening.
6:10PM GMT 24 Mar 2011
It is now becoming clear that the port city 150 miles east of Tripoli is the
crucial battlefield. Its proximity to the capital means the rebels could use
it as a launch pad for an offensive.
Col Gaddafi's forces have stepped up their offensive on Libya's
third largest city with a population of 300,000 as they recognise its
strategic importance.
In response Western air strikes hit armour on the outskirts of the rebel-held
area but tanks inside the city remain there and have not been hit.
A Libyan combat plane was also destroyed after French surveillance aircraft
spotted it flying near Misurata in violation of the UN Security Council
resolution. A French Rafale fighter jet fired a guided air-to-ground missile
on the jet after it landed at a nearby airbase.
On the sixth day of the campaign coalition aircraft and warships stepped up
strikes against Col Gaddafi's forces including artillery, tanks, an
ammunition bunker and a small number of helicopters parked on an airfield
along the coast.
An intensive air raid was also made on Col Gaddafi's southern stronghold of
Sebha, a local resident reported.
RAF Tornados and Typhoons continued enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone,
completing 59 missions to date.
The coalition fired 14 Tomahawk missiles including some fired by Triumph, the
Royal Navy hunter killer submarine.
More than 175 £800,000 Tomahawk missiles have now been fired to suppress Col
Gaddafi's air defences and limit his ability to respond to jets patrolling
the skies.
The noose was also tightening near Libya's coast as a fleet of coalition
warships stepped up efforts to prevent arms smuggling. Vice Admiral Rinald
Veri, said he expected to have enough vessels in place in a few days for an
effective maritime blockade, so "closing the main front door".
The fleet includes the Royal Navy frigates Westminster and Cumberland, which
it was announced yesterday would have a stay of execution over being
scrapped on April 1 and continue in service at least for another fortnight.
French fighter jets also attacked a Libyan airbase 150 miles inland from the
Mediterranean coast overnight.
For the first time Norway took part in operations sending two F-16 fighters
over Libya, as part of a six plane squadron.
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