Libya

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The US military is working to hand over control of the Libya operation to "a coalition" in the next few days, an offical tells Reuters.

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France says Qatar will join the international operation against Gaddafi within hours.

Laurent Teisseire, the French defense ministry spokesman, said Qatar war planes would join the operation alongside French jets and called Qatar a "historic partner" of France in the Arab world.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Teisseire said the Qatari contribution would come "in the hours to come."

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Qatar isn't the only Arab country sending planes to join the campaign against Gaddafi. Aircraft from the United Arab Emirates are due to arrive at the Decimomannu air force base on the Italian island of Sardinia, says the AFP news agency.

The base is already hosting four Spanish F18 fighter jets that arrived yesterday.

British Tornado jets involved in last night's raid flew directly to Libya from Norfolk, England, it is understood

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Al Jazeera Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Gaddafi explode in an air strike on the road between Benghazi and Ajdabiya

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Norway's contribution of six F16 fighter jets to the international air campaign will set off for bases close to the African nation tomorrow morning, said Brig. Per Egil Rygg:

"We are also sending 120 pilots, technicians, security personnel and press officers."

Earlier today, Jens Stoltenberg, Norway's prime minister said:

"Norway will take its responsibility. We want to contribute to the resolution being carried out."


Denmark is also sending six F16 jets to join the operation.

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Almanara Media URGENT: The city of Zintan has been heavily bombarded by Gaddafi forces today using Grad missiles. Strikes were random and came from the east. Zintan has not had much coverage recently but the city has been under constant strikes for the past 3 days

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More than 3,800 refugees crossed into Egypt from Libya yesterday, said UN officials.

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Venezuela's Hugo Chavez says the airstrikes are killing civilians in Libya, and that the US and Europe shouldn't intervene. More on that when we get it...

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The Guardian: The Foreign Office has released a statement in response to criticism of the bombardment of Libya by the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who said that the organisation wanted to see "the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians".

The Foreign Office said:

• "Unlike Qadhafi, the coalition is not attacking civilians. The UN resolution authorises all necessary measures to protect the Libyan people.

• For the No Fly Zone to be enforced safely, it is necessary to carry out carefully targeted operations against Libyan air defence capabilities.

• All missions are meticulously planned to ensure every care is taken to avoid civilian casualties. We will continue to work with our Arab partners to enforce the resolution for the good of the Libyan people.

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Reuters At least 94 people were killed in an assault launched two days ago on Benghazi by forces loyal to Moamer Gaddafi, medics and AFP correspondents said on Sunday.

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As the second night of airstrikes begin, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is "deeply concerned about the intensification in recent days of the fighting in and around densely populated centres in Libya, with the consequent risk to civilian lives."

It called on "all parties", including the international forces, the Libyan government forces, and rebels, "to abide strictly by the rules and principles of international humanitarian law."

"Attacks that directly target the civilian population are strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law," said Yves Daccord, ICRC director-general.

"That law also prohibits the use of human shields. Indiscriminate attacks are likewise strictly prohibited. The parties must take all precautions, including in their choice of means and methods of warfare, to avoid as far as possible harming civilians."

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Heavy anti-aircraft gunfire has just been reported in central Tripoli.

Sustained bursts were accompanied by tracer rounds and machine-gun fire, says Reuters' correspondent.

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A Tornado GR4 leaves RAF Marham in Norfolk, England earlier today. The UK defence secretary earlier said Tornado aircraft that took part in last night's operation took off from and returned to Marham, instead of using more local bases to Libya.

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The Italian tugboat and its crew of 11 which had been seized in Tripoli have now left the port accompanied by people claiming to represent the port authority and Libyan military officials, the ship's owner has said. The crew "are fine and are on board the ship," said the Augusta Offshore company.

• "We are in constant contact with the [Italian] foreign ministry's crisis unit to cooperate and we are coordinating with the authorities.

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US House speaker, republican John Boehner, says president Obama must "define the scope of the Libya mission, for the American people, the congress and our troops" before any further military commitment is made.