US drones bomb Libya

Armed American Predator drones were flying over Libya within hours of President Barack Obama authorising their use yesterday, despite criticism of their deployment on the Pakistani-Afghan border by Pakistan and the United Nations.

United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates told a Washington news conference the predator drones were already in operation as CNN was reporting that big explosions and jets over Tripoli indicated Nato had intensified its air strikes.

CNN said a Nato military official issued a new warning to Libyan civilians to stay away from military areas, foreshadowing plans to attack targets seen as strategically significant in stopping Government attacks against civilians.

The official, who wouldn't be identified, said the next phase would see increased air strikes on key sites in and around Tripoli, although targets in other areas could also be hit.

The announcement that un-manned aircraft were being used follows a decision by Britain, France and Italy to send military trainers and a Washington decision to provide US$25 million ($31.2 million) of equipment - not arms - for the rebels fighting Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Predator drones already target militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, but the Pakistani Government has made repeated protests and the UN has criticised their use as strikes often kill civilians.

But Libya's rebels welcomed their deployment, saying they hoped the move would protect civilians.

"There's no doubt that will help protect civilians and we welcome that step from the American administration," said rebel spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga.

Gates said the Predators, with their extraordinary accuracy in urban areas, would allow for "some precision capability" against the better-equipped Gaddafi forces, and offer a "modest contribution" to Nato support for the Libyan rebels.

But Gates insisted that Obama continued to oppose sending US ground forces into Libya, even in the shape of trainers, to assist Nato forces. Washington has made it clear all along there would be no American "boots on the ground" in Libya, anxious to avoid any impression it was leading a third war against a Muslim country.

"There's no wiggle room in that," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron echoed those concerns, insisting British forces would not become part of an "occupying army" in Libya. "We're not allowed, rightly, to have an invading army, or an occupying army," he said.

The news comes as the British Government, increasingly frustrated at the reluctance of some European allies to contribute, turns to the US for military help in its efforts to drive Gaddafi's resurgent forces out of Misrata.

The rebels in Misrata, the only significant western city still in their hands, despite an eight-week onslaught, have voiced scepticism about the level of Western commitment. A rebel commander in the city, Amar Ahmed Husseini, said yesterday: "Nato keeps saying they will do more, but the Gaddafi men still keep firing rockets every day and our people are dying."

As loyalist forces renewed attacks on the city, killing at least 17 people including women and children, Whitehall sources expressed frustration with fellow Nato members in Europe they said had failed to make good on promises of involvement.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy nonetheless insisted the alliance was ready to step up operations in Misrata. Sarkozy, who won approval in Benghazi for his early support, told the head of the Libyan opposition's provisional government, Mustafa Abdel Jalil: "We are going to intensify the attacks and respond to the request. We will help you."

But in Brussels, Nato official Brigadier General Mark van Uhm said: "There's a limit to what can be achieved by air power to stop fighting in the city."

- AGENCIES