"We will continue with the airstrikes," Juppe told RTL radio, adding that the strikes were "only targeting military sites and nothing else.

"He said the strikes were a "success" and would "continue as long as  necessary." Juppe insisted the operation was aimed at protecting the civilian  population from attacks by forces loyal to strongman Moamer Qadhafi and denied  reports that the airstrikes had killed civilians, saying "it is the exact  opposite." The foreign minister added that France was in favour of handing over responsibility for implementing a UN-approved "no-fly" zone to NATO.