French jets destroy seven pro-Qadhafi aircraft in Libya

PARIS: French fighter jets destroyed at least five warplanes and two helicopters from forces backing Libyan leader Moamer Qadhafi in air strikes on Saturday, the military announced. French jets "carried out several strikes in the Zintan and Misrata regions," it said in a statement on the French armed forces website. According to first information, the strikes destroyed "in Misrata at least five Galeb warplanes and at least two MI-35 combat helicopters which were preparing to carry out operations in the region," it said. French, US and British air strikes against Qadhafi's regime began a week ago under a UN Security Council resolution which authorised "all necessary means" to protect civilians and set up a no-fly zone over the country. Qadhafi's forces pounded the rebel-held town of Misrata, 214 kilometres (132 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, on Friday and Saturday, leaving several people dead and wounded, witnesses and rebels told AFP.