New air strikes hit Libyan defences

Libya was last night rocked by a second night of allied air strikes as a Royal Navy submarine joined US forces in targeting the air defences of Muammar Gaddafi.

But one mission, involving RAF Tornado jets, was aborted after it emerged there were civilians within the target area.

Explosions were heard near the dictator’s home in capital Tripoli and reports suggested his compound had been damaged, though US authorities insisted that he was not a target.

A British Trafalgar-class sub stationed in the Mediterranean fired Tomahawk missiles at air defence targets in Libya as part of a co-ordinated action for the second night in succession, said the Ministry of Defence.

Spokesman Major General John Lorimer said: “For a second time, the UK has launched guided Tomahawk land attack missiles (TLAM) from a Trafalgar-class submarine in the Mediterranean as part of a co-ordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.

“We and our international partners are continuing operations in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.”

Later, Major General Lorimer revealed a planned attack involving Tornados had been called off as the jets neared their target.

Confirming the British armed forces had carried out another “co-ordinated mission” in Libya, he said: “As the RAF GR4 Tornados approached the target, further information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area.

“As a result the decision was taken not to launch weapons. This decision underlines the UK’s commitment to the protection of civilians.”

The onslaught continued despite a ceasefire announced by the Libyan authorities at 7pm UK time, which was treated with suspicion in London and Washington. Earlier in the day, Gaddafi had threatened “a long war”, and his forces launched a fresh assault on rebels in Misrata.

Downing Street said that Gaddafi remained in breach of his obligations under last week’s United Nations resolution, which the coalition would continue to enforce.

“Everyone will recall that in recent days Colonel Gaddafi declared a ceasefire which was promptly violated,” said a spokesman for Number 10.

“We said then we would judge him on his actions not his words – and we will do so again.

“His obligations are very clearly set out by the UN Security Council resolution. Our assessment is that he is in breach of these obligations so we will continue to enforce the resolution.”

Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, a number of Tornados were seen taking off from RAF Marham in Norfolk, in apparent attempt to repeat the previous night’s 3,000-mile sortie to target Gaddafi’s ground forces in the north African state.

There were also reports of anti-aircraft fire overnight.

RAF Typhoons were today in place in the southern Italian air base of Gioia del Colle, after deploying yesterday from Coningsby in Lincolnshire to be within easy range of Libya

Planes from Arab state Qatar, as well as Belgium, Denmark and Spain, have arrived to join Britain, France, Canada and the US in patrolling the no-fly zone established over Libya thanks to the destruction of Gaddafi’s air defences.