EDITORIAL : THE SUN, UK

Gaddafi blitzed from air and sea

BLAZING tanks and military vehicles littered roads in Libya as the world finally lost patience with Colonel Gaddafi.

UK forces joined the US and French military in unleashing a deadly barrage of missiles last night to take out troops loyal to the scheming tyrant.

Stormshadow "fire and forget" missiles were launched from Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew 3,000 miles from RAF Marham in Norfolk and back.

US and French fighter jets took to the skies over the crisis-torn country to enforce a no-fly zone.

A Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine based in the Mediterranean was among vessels that fired missiles at Tripoli and the under-attack city of Misurata.

The submarine joined forces from the US, France, Italy and Canada in the attack - under US operational command.

A barrage of 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles - some of them British - was fired last night to knock out the dictator's air defence systems at more than 20 coastal locations.

The blitz came after a Libyan ceasefire was broken when a fighter jet was blown out of the skies above the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

David Cameron said: "Gaddafi has made this happen." He was speaking at the end of an emergency summit in Paris.

A Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine stationed in the Mediterranean took part in the co-ordinated assault, which also involved forces from the US, France, Italy and Canada.

The PM added: "What is absolutely clear is that Gaddafi has broken his word, he has broken confidence and continues to slaughter his own civilians.

"This has to stop, we have to make him stop and make him face the consequences."

Meanwhile French President Nicolas Sarkozy said military jets would prevent forces loyal to Gaddafi from attacking the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Around 20 French fighter jets are patrolling the skies above Libya and a military official confirmed a plane had fired on a Libyan military vehicle.

Gaddafi appeared to openly flaunt the threat of a no-fly zone resolution as a fighter jet was shot down over the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Libya's ceasefire lay in tatters amid reports that pro-Government forces were storming the city.

PM David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a host of other world leaders met yesterday to discuss a course of action over Libya.

Rebels say they have suffered heavy shelling from Gaddafi's forces while reports say tanks have been seen rolling into Benghazi.

Video footage emerged yesterday showing the downed jet circling over the city before flames burst out of its engine and it slammed to the ground.

The pilot managed to eject before the plane hit the ground.

But Libyan authorities insisted there had been "no attack whatsoever" on rebel forces in the city.

They insisted that their forces were holding to a ceasefire announced on Friday and repeated an invitation for international observers to enter the country today to monitor it.

Earlier a Libyan spokesman read from a letter sent from Gaddafi to PM David Cameron and UN secretary Ban Ki-Moon declaring: "Libya is not yours. Libya is for the Libyans. The Security Council resolution is invalid.

He continued: "You will regret it if you dare to intervene in our country."

As RAF Tornados were readied for action Gaddafi quickly declared the ceasefire and promised to halt his war on the rebel uprising.

But at the same time his troops carried on shelling rebels in Misrata. Ambulances were blown up and 25 were killed, including two young girls.

Gaddafi's forces are continuing to advance towards the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Clashes erupted 30 miles from the rebel "capital".

Rebels dismissed the ceasefire declaration as a ruse.

"He is lying. His troops are advancing. We don't believe Gaddafi," said Mohammed Ishmael al-Tajouri from the rebel coalition in Benghazi. "When he comes to Benghazi he will be fighting. There is no negotiating with Gaddafi."

Mr Cameron warned Gaddafi the world would not be conned. The PM said: "We will judge him by his actions, not his words."

The PM joined US president Barack Obama and French leader Nicolas Sarkozy to lay down FIVE conditions the 67-year-old dictator must meet to avoid military intervention in strife-torn Libya.

In a demand backed by Arab states, the three leaders told the Libyan Mad Dog to:

HALT all attacks on civilians.

STOP the assault on Benghazi.

PULL his troops back from onslaughts on rebels in Adjadbiya, Misrata and Zawiyah.

RESTORE water, electricity and gas to all areas, and ALLOW in humanitarian assistance for the people of Libya.

In a joint statement, the trio told Gaddafi the terms were "not negotiable".

And they said if he did not comply, Thursday night's UN Security Council resolution to prevent a mass slaughter of rebels would be "enforced through military action".

It was also made clear to Gaddafi that he could not stay in power. Mr Cameron declared: "Gaddafi must go. He has no legitimacy. I don't think Libya has any future with Gaddafi in charge."

President Obama warned: "Now, once more, Muammar Gaddafi has a choice. If he does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences."

An RAF Sentinel spy plane touched down at the British base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, on Friday to begin mapping out Libyan targets for air strikes.

A dozen senior officers also arrived to command a mission codenamed Operation Ellamy.

RAF Typhoon fighters and Tornado bombers followed. Defence chiefs across Nato assembled the broadest airborne force seen since the 1991 Gulf War.

Nine nations have offered military assets so far. They include Canada, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Poland and Spain, with at least two Arab nations considering joining in. While no invasion plans have been drawn up, Downing Street made it clear ground troops had not been ruled out. Only a long-term occupation of Libya has been vetoed.

Mr Cameron insisted the action was not about regime change in Libya.

He declared: "The UN resolution is about protecting lives and stopping slaughter. It's up to the Libyan people to choose their government. Is this going to be another Iraq? No."

The PM said Britain was taking a leading role in the mission because of "our ideals as well as our interests". He added: "As well as stopping the slaughter, it is crucial not to allow Libya to sink back into a pariah state."

Mr Obama said America would not lead the operation. But after a fortnight of US dithering, tensions began to surface.

Mrs Clinton said she would not serve under Mr Obama for a second term. A source close to her said: "She is not happy dealing with a president who can't decide if today is Tuesday or Wednesday."