Campaign enters riskiest phase for allies as threat of errors grow

MILITARY targets will grow harder to hit and the risk of deadly errors will increase as Western nations pursue their air campaign over Libya, with no guarantee of stopping Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in their tracks.

While three nights of bombing have enforced a no-fly zone and appeared to have knocked out surface-to-air missile defences, they have yet to stop Gaddafi loyalists attacking rebel cities.

The crash of a US Air Force F-15E fighter jet with mechanical failure served as a reminder of the risk of mishaps, even though both pilots ejected and avoided falling into the hands of Gaddafi’s forces.