World leaders meet to discuss Libya

Leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the United States and other Western powers are holding urgent talks in Paris today over possible military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

France's ambassador to the United Nations, Gerard Araud, told BBC 'Newsnight' that he expected military action to begin within hours of the meeting, which follows a UN Security Council resolution that authorises the international community to act to defend civilians in Libya.

France is hosting the hastily organised summit in response to the recent onslaught by Gaddafi's artillery, warplanes and tanks against rebel-controlled areas.

France, with Britain, was among the leading voices behind a muscular UN Security Council resolution against Libya adopted Thursday.

Muammar Gaddafi's government declared a cease-fire Friday in an attempt to outmanoeuvre Western military intervention.

But the opposition said shells rained down well after the announcement and accused the Libyan leader of lying. Early today, a plane was shot down over the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to host leaders including Angela Merkel of Germany and the Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon are also expected, along with the Qatari emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Saudi and Emirates foreign ministers.

Nato's top decision-making body was also meeting in emergency session today to review military plans for a no-fly zone over Libya.

The North Atlantic Council is expected to issue the order to launch the operation in coming days.

Officials said the military staff was putting the final touches on plans to deploy dozens of fighter-bombers, tankers, helicopters and surveillance planes to several air bases along Europe’s southern rim.

The consultations were adjourned soon after they started to await the results of the summit of allied leaders in Paris.

Diplomats said they expected the NAC envoys to resume their conference later today.