Warplane shot down by Libyan rebels

A warplane has been shot down outside the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, as international leaders gathered in Paris to make final preparations to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

The jet was observed over the city for some time before reportedly going down in flames, amid the sound of artillery and gunfire.

But Libyan authorities insisted that their forces were holding to a ceasefire and repeated an invitation for international observers to enter the country today to monitor it.

Deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim told BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme: "The ceasefire is real, credible and solid. We are willing to receive observers as soon as possible, even today."

Rebel sources claim that military assaults by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on cities including Benghazi, Misrata and Ajdabiya continued even after the ceasefire announcement.

US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice last night said the Libyan leader was already in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1973, passed on Thursday, which called for an immediate end to hostilities and authorised "all necessary measures" short of foreign occupation to protect civilians.

Ms Rice told CNN that Gaddafi would face "swift and sure consequences including military action" if he ignores demands for a ceasefire.

Mr Cameron is meeting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and representatives of Arab states in Paris for talks on the implementation of the resolution.

RAF fighter jets are deploying to the Mediterranean to join the international effort to protect Libya's people from aerial assault by Gaddafi's forces.

Neither the Ministry of Defence nor Downing Street would last night confirm whether any RAF planes had set off on their mission, codenamed Operation Ellamy, or where they would be based in the Mediterranean.