French govt says Libya operation to start rapidly

PARIS: France may launch military operations against Libya in a few hours after the Security Council has authorized the action, the government spokesman, Baroin said Friday.

"The French, who led calls (per share), will of course be compatible with military intervention," Baroin told RTL radio. "The strike will take place quickly."

Asked to clarify what that meant, he said that France "participate" in operations and said the action would be with a rebel uprising and did not mean an occupation of oil producer in Africa North.

The Security Council authorized Thursday a no-fly zone over Libya and military strikes to halt the advancing forces of Muammar Gaddafi, hours after the Libyan leader threatened to storm the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

French diplomatic sources said that the United Kingdom, perhaps the United States and one or more Arabs could join the operation, and that Paris wants to organize a three-way meeting on Saturday between representatives of high European Union, the African Union and Arab League.