CTV Winnipeg- Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission - CTV News

Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission

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A Canadian Forces CF-18 sits in its hangar at the air base in Inuvik, Northwest Territories on Thursday Aug. 28, 2008. (Tom Hanson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Updated: Thu Mar. 17 2011 18:52:59

CTV.ca News Staff

Canada will contribute six CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce a no-fly zone in Libya, sources have told CTV News.

"The Canadian government has made the decision late today that Canada will send six CF-18 fighter jets to join the Americans, the British and the French and other countries that will participate in imposing a no-fly zone," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported Thursday.

After weeks of speculation the UN Security Council has moved to "establish a ban on all flights in the airspace" in the North African country and authorized "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, according to the draft version of a resolution.

The resolution also demanded an immediate ceasefire and called on Gadhafi to "take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs."

Word of the resolution was greeted by celebrations in the rebel-held town of Benghazi. The UN vote came shortly after Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi warned of a massive military offensive on the town.

via winnipeg.ctv.ca