TRIPOLI (Reuters) – European and U.S. forces unleashed warplanes and cruise missiles against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis forces in the biggest Western military intervention in the Arab world since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Libyan state television said 48 people had been killed and 150 wounded in the Western air strikes. It also said there had been a fresh wave of strikes on Tripoli early today. There was no way to independently verify the claims.
CBS News said on its website on Sunday that three U.S. B-2 stealth bombers had dropped 40 bombs on a "major Libyan airfield" that was not further identified. A Pentagon spokesman said he had no information about such an attack. French planes fired the first shots on Saturday in a campaign to force Gaddafis troops to cease fire and end attacks on civilians.
The warplanes destroyed tanks and armored vehicles near Benghazi, eastern stronghold of the rebels who, inspired by uprisings across the Arab world, launched a revolt against Gaddafis 41-year-rule last month. Burned out military vehicles lined the main road into Benghazi on Sunday as the rebels advanced back toward the strategic town of Ajdabiyah they lost last week.
One tank had its turret blown off. A tank transporter, tank and an armored personnel carrier were still smoldering. Fourteen bodies lay in the desert next to the vehicles. "This is all France ... Today we came through and saw the road open," said rebel fighter Tahir Sassi, surveying the scene. U.S. and British warships and submarines launched 110 Tomahawk missiles overnight against air defenses around the capital Tripoli and the western city of Misrata, which has been besieged by Gaddafis forces, U.S. military officials said. They said U.S. forces and planes were working with Britain, France, Canada and Italy in operation "Odyssey Dawn." Denmark said it had four fighter planes ready to join in on Sunday and was awaiting U.S. instructions.
Gaddafi said the raids amounted to terrorism. He said all Libyans had now been armed to defend the country and Western defeat was inevitable. "We will not leave our land and we will liberate it," he said in a speech on state television. "We will remain alive and you will all die."