France sends aircraft carrier to Libya
France is dispatching attack helicopters to take part in its operations against Libya's Kadafi regime, according to Monday's edition of the French daily Le Figaro.
Issued on:
A spokesman for the French military confirmed on Monday that an aircraft carrier had set off from the Mediterranean port of Toulon, but did not say whether it was carrying helicopters.
The BPC Tonnerre is capable of carrying 16 big 12-tonne helicopters, 750 troops and scores of armoured vehicles for launching amphibious attacks.
Le Figaro said the aircraft carrier had left Toulon with 12 helicopters aboard intended for operations in Libya, where France and other western powers are supporting rebels who are trying to overthrow Kadhafi.
The use of attack helicopters would allow more precise strikes on targets in Libya which warplanes are unable to reach for fear of civilian casualties.
Army spokesperson Thierry Burkard said that the possible use of attack helicopters would not be in breach of the UN resolution under which international forces, now under Nato command, launched their intervention in Libya in March.
Earlier on Monday, Washington called on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to "leave power and Libya", in a statement released to the rebels' National Transitional Council.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe