West pounds Libya with air strikes

Gadhafi vows retaliation

BENGHAZI, Libya - The U.S. and European nations pounded Moammar Gadhafi's forces and air defenses with cruise missiles and airstrikes, launching the broadest international military effort since the Iraq war in support of an uprising that had seemed on the verge of defeat. Libyan state TV claimed 48 people had been killed in the attacks, but the report could not be independently verified.

The longtime Libyan leader vowed Saturday to defend his country from what he called ``crusader aggression'' and warned the involvement of international forces will subject the Mediterranean and North African region to danger and put civilians at risk.

The U.S. military said 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from American and British ships and submarines at more than 20 coastal targets to clear the way for air patrols to ground Libya's air force.

French fighter jets fired the first salvos, carrying out several strikes in the rebel-held east, while British fighter jets also bombarded the North African nation.

The strikes, which were aimed at enforcing a U.N.-mandated no-fly zone, were a sharp escalation in the international effort to stop Gadhafi after weeks of pleading by the rebels who have seen early gains reversed as the regime unleashed the full force of its superior air power and weaponry.

President Barack Obama said military action was not his first choice and reiterated that he would not send American ground troops to Libya.

``This is not an outcome the U.S. or any of our partners sought,'' Obama said from Brazil, where he is starting a five-day visit to Latin America. ``We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy.''

Thousands of regime supporters, meanwhile, packed into the sprawling Bab al-Aziziya military camp in Tripoli where Gadhafi lives to protect against attacks.

Explosions continued to rock the coastal cities, including Tripoli, where anti-aircraft guns could be heard firing overnight in Tripoli.

Libyan TV quoted the armed forces command as saying 48 people were killed and 150 wounded in the allied assault. It said most of the casualties were children but gave no more details.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was ``deeply concerned'' about civilians' safety and called on all sides ``to abide strictly by the rules and principles of international humanitarian law'' by distinguishing between civilians and fighters and allowing safe access for humanitarian organizations.

Gadhafi, who has ruled Libya for 41 years, said in a telephone call to Libyan state TV that he was opening weapons depots to allow his people to arm themselves in defense.

He said the international action against his forces was unjustified, calling it ``simply a colonial crusader aggression that may ignite another large-scale crusader war.''

He also said the U.N. Security Council and the international community were responsible for ``stopping this unjust flagrant aggression against a sovereign country immediately.''

His regime also acted quickly in the run-up to the strikes, sending warplanes, tanks and troops into the eastern city of Benghazi, the rebel capital and first city to fall to the rebellion that began Feb. 15. Then the government attacks appeared to go silent.

Operation Odyssey Dawn, as the allied assault has been dubbed, followed an emergency summit in Paris during which the 22 leaders and top officials agreed to do everything necessary to make Gadhafi respect a U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday calling for the no-fly zone and demanding a cease-fire, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.

``Our consensus was strong, and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected, and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians our coalition is prepared to act, and to act with urgency,'' Obama said earlier. (AP)

서방 5개 연합국 리비아 공습… 카다피 결사항전

프랑스와 영국, 미국 등 서방 5개국 연합군이 19일(이하 현지시각) 리비아 해안가의 군사시설 등에 대대적인 공습과 미사일 공격을 단행했다. 리비아 국영 TV는 이번 공격으로 48명이 죽었다고 주장했다.

카다피측은 리비아를 지키겠다면서 결사항전을 선언했다.

이번 작전은 유엔 안보리가 17일 리비아 상공에 대한 비행금지구역 설정 결의를 채택한지 이틀만에 전격적으로 이뤄졌다.

다국적군은 리비아 수도 트리폴리와 반군 거점인 벵가지 등 각 지역의 주요 군사시설에 대한 공습을 단행했으며 리비아내 방공망을 무력화하는데 초점이 맞춰졌다. (연합뉴스)