Canada to join Libya no-fly plan

The Canadian government will despatch six fighter jets to enforce the UN-backed no-fly zone over Libya, Canadian media have reported.

The decision in Ottawa could see aircraft departing as soon as Friday.

The CF-18 planes will be supported by as many as 200 Canadian military personnel, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

The move comes after the UN Security Council on Thursday backed a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians.

The no-fly zone approves “all necessary measures” short of an invasion “to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas” from air attacks from forces loyal to embattled Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

In New York, the 15-member body voted 10-0 in favour, with five abstentions.

Canada’s involvement in the no-fly zone would make it one of a number of nations thought to be set to join the engagement, including the US, Britain, France, and several Arab states.

The Canadian defence ministry declined to comment.

The CF-18 aircraft’s radar can track targets from great distances, at night and in low visibility, according to the Canadian air force.

Canadian pilots flew the jets in the 1991 Gulf War.