Saturday, March 19, 2011

Libya Live Blog - March 20 By Al Jazeera Staff in Africa on March 19th, 2011.

By Al Jazeera Staff inon March 19th, 2011.
Photo: Reuters
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As the uprising in Libya continues, we update you with the latest developments from our correspondents, news agencies and citizens across the globe. Al Jazeera is not responsible for content derived from external sites.
  • 3:45am
    An Al Jazeera crew exposed a Libyan envoy's secret visit to Tunis, as Al Jazeera's web producer Yasmine Ryan blogs here.
  • 3:18am
    Libya state TV is reporting that airstrikes have killed 48 people and wounded 150 in "civilian areas". Citing an armed forces statement it said the capital Tripoli as well as cities of Benghazi, Misurata and Zuwarah were also hit.
  • 3:01am
    Mark Toner, the acting deputy spokesman for the US state department, said no US officials remain in Libya. He said in a statement  citizens are strongly advised against travel to the country, and urged those already there to leave immediately.
  • 2:39am
    Gunfire and anti-aircraft fire heard over Libyan capital Tripoli.
  • 2:04am
    Libya has decided to suspend co-operation with Europe in the fight against illegal immigration, state TV citing a security official reported on Sunday.
  • 1:55am
    Libya on Saturday said it consider the UN security council resolution on a ceasefire by its forces no longer valid following the air raids by international forces on its territory.
  • 1:04am
    Libyan state media said there were casualties caused by the bombing of civilians targets in Tripoli. An army spokesman was quoted as saying that fuel tanks feeding rebel-held city of Misurata, east of the capital, were also hit.
    Libyan TV said a French warplane was shot down in Njela district of Tripoli, but French military was swift to deny the report.
  • 1:00am
    A British submarine fired missiles into Libya as David Cameron, the British prime minister, urged and end to Gaddafi's "appalling brutality". A Trafalgar-class submarine launched the Tomahawk cruise missiles in a joint attack with US forces. More than 110 missiles were fired.
  • 12:53am
    Gaddafi says he will arm civilians to defend Libya against "colonial, crusader" aggression, adding:
    It is now necessary to open the stores and arm all the masses with all types of weapons to defend the independence, unity and honour of Libya.
  • 12.52am
    US national security official says Libya air defence systems "severely disabled", according to Reuters news agency.
  • 12:45am
    Spain's defence ministry in a statement said four F-18 fighter jets and refuelling aircraft have been sent to the Italian base on the island of Sardinia as part of international air raids on Libya. It will also deploy an F-100 frigate, an S-74 submarine and a CN-235 maritime surveillance plane.
    The statement said:
    These planes will carry out patrol mission and will be operational from tomorrow, Sunday.
  • 12:40am
    Gaddafi vows Libya will defend itself from what he called "crusader aggression" as international forces launch airstrikes on Saturday. Speaking to Libyan state TV, he said the action was unjustified and "simply a crusader aggression that may ignite another large-scale crusader war".
  • 12:18am
    AFP reports that the United Arab Emirates will be contributing 24 fighter jets (Mirage 2000-9s and F-16s) and Qatar will contribute between four and six Mirage 2000-5s, citing a French official.
  • 12:14am
    Earlier today, as international air strikes became imminent, supporters of Muammar Gaddafi gathered at several locations to act as human shields. Aisha Gaddafi, his daughter, is seen here outside the Bab al-Aziziyah palace, Gaddafi's residence in Tripoli. [Picture: Reuters]
    File 16356
  • 12:05am
    Muammar Gaddafi threatened to attack both military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean in retaliation against air and sea strikes on Libyan air defences, AFP reports.
  • 12:04am
    Gaddafi calls on Africans, Arabs, Latin Americans and Asians to stand by Libyans, Reuters reports.
  • 12:01am
    Welcome to Al Jazeera's continuing coverage of developments in Libya, on a night where international forces have begun air strikes on Libyan air defence targets, including SA-5 missile sites, communications sites and parts of the air defence command and control infrastructure.
    Catch up with all the latest by reading our news story, as well as yesterday's live blog.

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