Ready to Attack

Libya Attack ‘Soon,’ French Official Says

Britain will send fighter jets within hours.

France and England are ready to attack Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya, say French officials, and military action may begin “within a few hours.” Francois Baroin, a French Government spokesman, specified that the military strikes, led by British and French warplanes, “is not an occupation of Libyan territory.” Prime Minister David Cameron spoke specifics: Britain will send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets “in the coming hours.” The decision to approve the military intervention divided U.N. members on Thursday, with Germany refusing to participate, Norway volunteering, and Turkey opposing. In the end, the resolution passed with 10 votes—Russia, China, Germany, Brazil, and India abstained—and put a range of options on the table, including strikes on air-defense systems and missile attacks on ships. It's still unclear what role the United States will play in any action.