Mar 21, 2011
Britain to judge Libya ceasefire on 'actions not words'
LONDON - BRITAIN on Sunday said it would consider Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's promise of a ceasefire on 'actions not words' as more Tornado jets left from a base in eastern England.
Britain said earlier on Sunday its overnight air and sea strikes had been 'very successful' and stressed it was doing everything it could to avoid civilian casualties as it enforces a UN-sanctioned no-fly zone.
Tornado jets similar to those used in Britain's first attacks were seen taking off from Marham air base at around 2000 GMT (4am Singapore time) on Sunday.
'Everyone will recall that in recent days Col Gaddafi declared a ceasefire which was promptly violated,' a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron's office said after a meeting of a new sub-committee formed to deal with the Libyan conflict.
'We said then we would judge him on his actions not his words, and we will do so again,' the spokesman continued. '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,' added the Downing Street spokesman.
British Tornado fighter planes equipped with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and a submarine joined US and French military in the initial operation. Defence Secretary Liam Fox told the BBC that early reports suggested the bombing raids were 'very successful'. -- AFP
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon (L) listesn to Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi during their joint press conference in Cairo on March 20, 2011 at the start of his visit to Libya's eastern neighbour Egypt. Ban said that he hoped the Libyan army would 'keep its word' on a new ceasefire it announced as a second night of international air strikes appeared imminent.