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Attack on Libya: Leader promises long war after first wave of missile assault
The U.S. launched Tomahawk cruise missiles March 19.
Last Updated: Sunday, March 20, 2011 7:46 AM
WASHINGTON --
The U.S. military launched a missile attack against Libya's air defenses.
President Barack Obama said the United States launched a limited military action in Libya against the forces of Moammar Gadhafi.
Saturday's mission was aimed at clearing the way for imposition of a European-led no-fly zone over the North African country.
The action came after the United Nations authorized the force to stop the Libyan leader from killing rebel forces who are trying to get him out of power.
Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs. He said they hit more than 20 air defense sites along the Mediterranean coastline. He said the success of the mission was not immediately clear, adding that additional attacks would commence later.
Gortney said the mission has two goals: prevent further attacks by Libyan forces on rebels and other civilians, and degrade the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
The president, speaking during a visit to Brazil, said the United States and its allies had not sought this outcome, but that Gadhafi had given the West no choice. In Obama's words: "We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy."
Pentagon officials said 112 cruise missiles launched from U.S. and U.K. ships and subs, hitting 20 sites.
Obama says he is aware of the risks of taking military action. He declared once again that the United States will not send ground forces into Libya.
Libyan state TV is quoting the armed forces command as saying 48 people have been killed and 150 wounded in the allied assault by U.S. and European forces. The report can't be independently confirmed.
Gadhafi vows Libya will defend itself
Moammar Gadhafi is vowing Libya will defend itself from what he calls "crusader aggression," as U.S.-led international forces begin an attack in support of the rebel uprising against him.
Gadhafi is promising "a long war."
The Libyan leader says the involvement of international forces will subject the Mediterranean and North African region to danger and put civilians at risk.
He also warns that weapons depots are being opened to arm the Libyan people in defense.
Hours earlier, the U.S. fired more than 100 cruise missiles at his air defenses.
Gadhafi spoke around midnight Saturday in a phone call to Libyan state TV.
He said the international action against his forces was unjustified, calling it "simply a colonial crusader aggression that may ignite another large-scale crusader war."
Gas prices expected to rise
If you need to fill up your gas tank, you may not want to wait too long.
The attack on Libya is expected to cause gas prices to go from bad to worse.
The current national average for a price of regular unleaded is 3.54.
That's down just one cent from last week.
But experts believe prices will skyrocket after the recent air strike.
Libya is the world's 12th largest oil exporter.
Since unrest began, production has dramatically decreased by about three quarters.
So as oil export slows to a trickle, experts believe it will likely dry up as military action continues.
With that, the focus is on Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Things are contained at the moment.
But if they start exchanging fire, it could easily drive the market above the record high.
Locals react to airstrikes in Libya
Libyans living in Orlando organized a rally at Lake Eola Saturday night.
They said they are very happy to see the involvement of countries like France and the U.S. They say it gives them new hope.
Some also said they wish it would have had happen weeks ago.
They were out with signs and chants blasting what they call Moammar Gadhafi's reign of terror.
Since unrest broke out in Libya, the Orlando group said they have relatives who have been killed in the fighting.
They said they have trouble reaching loved ones. When they do get a hold of them, they have to listen for things like gunfire in the background, because since calls are recorded Libyans are afraid to say what's really going on.
"I'm asking him how's everything going and he says fine, you can hear it in his voice. It's lifeless you can tell everything's not OK," said organizer Asmaa Elmani.
The U.S. operation is called Odyssey Dawn. The group at Lake Eola doesn't have a name. They think small groups in the U.S. are making a difference.
They held a candlelight vigil for loved ones they said have died in the pursuit of freedom.
They prayed for the well-being of everyone in Libya, loved ones they said that are difficult to reach.
They also prayed the U.S. air strikes will work, because they say Gadhafi won't respond to reason.
"He would not listen to anything the United Nations asked, President Obama, I think the only thing he responds to is force," said native Libyan Daw Elghabar.
They've planned a fundraiser for Libya next Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Turkey Lake Park. All proceeds will go to Hope International.
Al-Jazeera says crew in Libya detained
Al-Jazeera TV says Libyan authorities have detained a team of its journalists in western Libya.
The network says in a statement Saturday that the four correspondents are Tunisian, Mauritanian, Norwegian and British.
They were reporting from Libya for several days.
Al-Jazeera says "Libyan authorities will be held responsible for the safety, security and well-being of the team who are being held in Tripoli."
The U.S. launched Tomahawk cruise missiles March 19.
Last Updated: Sunday, March 20, 2011 7:46 AM
WASHINGTON --
The U.S. military launched a missile attack against Libya's air defenses.
President Barack Obama said the United States launched a limited military action in Libya against the forces of Moammar Gadhafi.
Saturday's mission was aimed at clearing the way for imposition of a European-led no-fly zone over the North African country.
The action came after the United Nations authorized the force to stop the Libyan leader from killing rebel forces who are trying to get him out of power.
Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs. He said they hit more than 20 air defense sites along the Mediterranean coastline. He said the success of the mission was not immediately clear, adding that additional attacks would commence later.
Gortney said the mission has two goals: prevent further attacks by Libyan forces on rebels and other civilians, and degrade the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
The president, speaking during a visit to Brazil, said the United States and its allies had not sought this outcome, but that Gadhafi had given the West no choice. In Obama's words: "We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy."
Pentagon officials said 112 cruise missiles launched from U.S. and U.K. ships and subs, hitting 20 sites.
Obama says he is aware of the risks of taking military action. He declared once again that the United States will not send ground forces into Libya.
Libyan state TV is quoting the armed forces command as saying 48 people have been killed and 150 wounded in the allied assault by U.S. and European forces. The report can't be independently confirmed.
Gadhafi vows Libya will defend itself
Moammar Gadhafi is vowing Libya will defend itself from what he calls "crusader aggression," as U.S.-led international forces begin an attack in support of the rebel uprising against him.
Gadhafi is promising "a long war."
The Libyan leader says the involvement of international forces will subject the Mediterranean and North African region to danger and put civilians at risk.
He also warns that weapons depots are being opened to arm the Libyan people in defense.
Hours earlier, the U.S. fired more than 100 cruise missiles at his air defenses.
Gadhafi spoke around midnight Saturday in a phone call to Libyan state TV.
He said the international action against his forces was unjustified, calling it "simply a colonial crusader aggression that may ignite another large-scale crusader war."
Gas prices expected to rise
If you need to fill up your gas tank, you may not want to wait too long.
The attack on Libya is expected to cause gas prices to go from bad to worse.
The current national average for a price of regular unleaded is 3.54.
That's down just one cent from last week.
But experts believe prices will skyrocket after the recent air strike.
Libya is the world's 12th largest oil exporter.
Since unrest began, production has dramatically decreased by about three quarters.
So as oil export slows to a trickle, experts believe it will likely dry up as military action continues.
With that, the focus is on Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Things are contained at the moment.
But if they start exchanging fire, it could easily drive the market above the record high.
Locals react to airstrikes in Libya
Libyans living in Orlando organized a rally at Lake Eola Saturday night.
They said they are very happy to see the involvement of countries like France and the U.S. They say it gives them new hope.
Some also said they wish it would have had happen weeks ago.
They were out with signs and chants blasting what they call Moammar Gadhafi's reign of terror.
Since unrest broke out in Libya, the Orlando group said they have relatives who have been killed in the fighting.
They said they have trouble reaching loved ones. When they do get a hold of them, they have to listen for things like gunfire in the background, because since calls are recorded Libyans are afraid to say what's really going on.
"I'm asking him how's everything going and he says fine, you can hear it in his voice. It's lifeless you can tell everything's not OK," said organizer Asmaa Elmani.
The U.S. operation is called Odyssey Dawn. The group at Lake Eola doesn't have a name. They think small groups in the U.S. are making a difference.
They held a candlelight vigil for loved ones they said have died in the pursuit of freedom.
They prayed for the well-being of everyone in Libya, loved ones they said that are difficult to reach.
They also prayed the U.S. air strikes will work, because they say Gadhafi won't respond to reason.
"He would not listen to anything the United Nations asked, President Obama, I think the only thing he responds to is force," said native Libyan Daw Elghabar.
They've planned a fundraiser for Libya next Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Turkey Lake Park. All proceeds will go to Hope International.
Al-Jazeera says crew in Libya detained
Al-Jazeera TV says Libyan authorities have detained a team of its journalists in western Libya.
The network says in a statement Saturday that the four correspondents are Tunisian, Mauritanian, Norwegian and British.
They were reporting from Libya for several days.
Al-Jazeera says "Libyan authorities will be held responsible for the safety, security and well-being of the team who are being held in Tripoli."
