French jet 'destroys Libya plane'

WATCH LIVE NEWS ON WATCHERS N PLAYERS click hereA French warplane has destroyed a Libyan plane which had been flying in breach of the UN no-fly zone, French officials say

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WATCH LIVE NEWS ON WATCHERS N PLAYERS click hereThe plane, a smaller trainer aircraft, had just landed in the besieged city of Misrata when it was attacked, they say.It is the first incident of its kind since enforcement of the zone began.Dozens of coalition missiles have already hit military bases, with the aim of ending Col Muammar Gaddafi's ability to launch air attacks.UK officials said on Wednesday that Libya's air force no longer existed as a fighting force.Single engineInitial reports of the French action said the Libyan plane, a G-2/Galeb with a single engine, was in the air when it was hit.The French jet, a Rafale, fired an air-to-ground missile, other reports said.Earlier, the French military said their planes had hit an air base about 250km (155 miles) south of the Libyan coastline, but did not give any further information on the location of the target or the damage.Western military planes were also said to have hit the town of Sebha in southern Libya, according to residents and media reports.Fresh fighting has meanwhile been reported in Misrata, scene of a bitter battle for control which has lasted for many days.One doctor quoted by the AFP news agency said pro-Gaddafi forces had killed more than 100 people and injured 1,300 in the past week.Misrata resident Muhammad told the watchersNplayers many large explosions were heard overnight in the city.Continue reading the main story"Even now, we continue to hear the aeroplanes circling the air above Misrata," he said."Gaddafi's forces have occupied the main street - there are snipers all along the rooftops of that street. They are firing indiscriminately into the main street and the back streets."But the heavy artillery and shelling has stopped since yesterday [Wednesday]. In that sense, we are in a much better position."Further east in the strategically important city of Ajdabiya, residents described shelling, gunfire and houses on fire. One report said rebels were moving closer to the city but remained outgunned by pro-Gaddafi forces.In the main eastern city of Benghazi, rebel spokesman Mustafa Gheriani told the watchersNplayers that 17,000 fighters had set out from the city to join the battle to the west.Although he admitted that the rebel forces were on a "learning curve", he insisted that they all knew how to operate their weapons and were committed."We will slowly advance," he said. "[Gaddafi's forces] have no reason to fight, no cause, while we do."We have given so much blood and we're willing to give some more if we have to."Nato debateNato members have been holding talks about assuming responsibility for the no-fly zone over Libya, so far without agreement.The US is keen to relinquish its current control, but there are disagreements about who should take on the role, and what the exact terms of engagement would be.Turkey wants any Nato-led action to focus directly on enforcing the no-fly zone and arms embargo, rather than allowing any continuing strikes against ground forces.The Turkish parliament has backed a government decision to join the blockade. Four frigates, a submarine and a support vessel are being provided by Turkey.In a separate development, African Union chairman Jean Ping has invited members of the Libyan government and opposition to talks in Ethiopia.Representatives of the European Union, the UN Security Council and neighbouring countries have also been invited to the talks, scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa on Friday.WATCH LIVE NEWS ON WATCHERS N PLAYERS click here

Analysis

Christian FraserwatchersNplayers News, ParisThe French air force has been flying round-the-clock sorties over Libya since Saturday, but this is the first time its crews have encountered at close hand any of Col Gaddafi's aircraft.In truth, the threat was limited. The Galeb is an antiquated aircraft first flown in the 1960s with a single jet engine. It is often used as a trainer - though unchallenged, it can of course be a significant danger to civilians and ground forces.It is not known whether the plane had been involved in any attacks over Misrata.The French have been targeting air bases in the past 24 hours. Overnight, four fighter jets hit an air base 155 miles (250km) from the coast.The French have not disclosed the exact location, nor have they disclosed the damage inflicted on that base. But it is thought to be west of Benghazi, where the French aircraft have focused most of their efforts.WATCH LIVE NEWS ON WATCHERS N PLAYERS click here