NATO launches helicopter strikes in Libya- land-based military operations began
Saturday, 04 June 2011 16:26
As said the Commander of the international coalition forces, General Charles Bouchard, tonight in Libya for the first time NATO forces have used military helicopters. Two British helicopters "Apache" destroyed a radar, an army checkpoint and two other military buildings near the city of Brega. NATO had already recognized these operations successful and is going to expand the use of helicopters, so France sent to Libya amphibious assault ship Le Tonnerre for combat operations.
The transition of the war in Libya in the land-based phase, caused a major concern in Russia.
Some British newspapers reported: «... in the city of Misurata are former fighters of British special forces and employees of private security firms. They are hired for the mission headquarters of NATO." According to some reports, all the costs of providing mercenaries took over several Arab countries including Qatar. Since the first time today helicopters took part in the hostilities, it is expected that the mercenaries will soon also begin to provide information to pilots of the British and French military helicopters.
According to the European media, four helicopters "Apache" are on board a British helicopter carrier "Ocean", and 12 French helicopters based aboard the "Le Tonnerre", which is located at a distance of impact from the Libyan coast. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced three days ago, that NATO has decided to extend the operation in Libya, at least until late September - up to 90 days before a plan of military operations in Libya, was calculated to 27 June 2011. According to French Foreign Minister: "... military action in Libya, can not last forever, I will not tell you the number of weeks or months, but it is in any case, a few months."
Media in Western Europe reported about the preparation of land-based military operations in Libya. According to published data, the NATO military campaign in Libya could take a maximum of four months since the full deployment of the participating NATO forces. Zone of the of land-based military operation is called up all of Libya to the southern borders with Sudan, Chad and Niger, under the supervision will also be areas on the border with Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.
But it should be noted, that the UN did not give sanctions to preparation of land-based military operations in Libya. Even the idea of sending peacekeeping troops to Libya has not found sufficient support. Russia and China, as permanent members of UN Security Council. will impose a veto on any resolution on military intervention, while most European diplomats spoke strongly against the use of force in Libya. Also, the Arab League gathered in Cairo on March 2, did not support the idea of military intervention by other countries in the Libyan civil war.
Despite on all the protests and disapproval, a big land-based military operations can begin at any time. All news can be found here: viewforum.php?f=54