NATO launches 24-hour Libyan air space surveillance
10 Mar 2011
NATO spy planes today launched a 24-hour air space surveillance over Libya, with British defence secretary Liam Fox hinting that a no-fly zone could be enforced without elimination of the North African nation's air defences.
Three Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft airborne over the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya are monitoring movements of all Libyan fighters, according to NATO officials.
The surveillance was activated around noon today and came in the wake of Libyan air force fighters carrying out the heaviest bombing of rebel positions at Ras Lanuf in the east. The forces took over the key western city of Zawiyah, 50-km from the capital Tripoli.
As indications of a 'no fly zone' being enforced by US and NATO combine military action grew stronger, the British defence secretary said that a no-fly zone over Libya was possible without hitting at Libyan air force bases and air defence systems.
This contrasted with comments by US defence secretary Robert Gates. According to Fox a no-fly zone like the one enforced over Iraq between 1991-2003, could also be imposed over Libya.
Speaking to BBC Radio, Fox said the aim of the western forces would need to be backed by a demonstrable need, a strong legal basis and broad international and regional support.