A U.N. Security Council resolution permits the use of force to protect civilians<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Tripoli, Libya (CNN)<\/b> — The civil war in Libya took a significant turn Saturday when a fighter jet fell from the sky and burst into flames as explosions rang out in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. <\/p>\n
A day earlier, the government said it was abiding by a cease-fire and no-fly zone, but witnesses have said violence from forces loyal to ruler Moammar Gadhafi has continued. <\/p>\n
It was not immediately clear whom the jet belonged to, but the development indicates pro-Gadhafi forces may have moved in on the city considered an opposition stronghold. <\/p>\n
The opposition has been pushed back from other cities, but has vowed to defend Benghazi to the death.<\/p>\n
Violence has raged in Libya following protests demanding an end to Gadhafi’s almost 42-year-long rule. Protests have been met by widespread reports of violence by Gadhafi forces. Rebel fighters — including members of the military who defected — have fought back. <\/p>\n
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At least 28 people died and hundreds were wounded in fighting in the cities of Misrata, Ajdabiya and Zintan on Friday, according to Khaled el-Sayeh, a military spokesman for the opposition.<\/p>\n
The fighter jet incident came hours before international leaders meet in Paris to discuss the next steps in dealing with Libya.<\/p>\n
The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to authorize “states to take all necessary measures to protect civilians.” It also imposed a no-fly zone, banning all flights in Libyan airspace — except those that involve humanitarian aid and the evacuation of foreign nationals.<\/p>\n
In televised remarks Friday, Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said the country decided on “an immediate cease-fire and the stoppage of all military operations.”<\/p>\n
He urged observers from China, Malta, Turkey and Germany to come “as soon as possible … to make sure that there is a real cease-fire on the ground.”<\/p>\n
Libya is a member of the United Nations and is “obliged to accept the Security Council resolution that permits the use of force to protect the civilian population,” he said. <\/p>\n
Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said government forces were attacking “armed rebel militias,” not civilians. <\/p>\n
Kaim also said Gadhafi forces are not fighting a militia group that is making advances in the eastern town of al-Migrun and said the media are distorting Libyan military actions. <\/p>\n
He said the country has evidence of “crimes against humanity conducted by the rebels.” <\/p>\n
But witnesses in the western city of Misrata said earlier Friday that a pro-government assault persisted, and casualties were mounting.<\/p>\n
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“What cease-fire?” asked a doctor in Misrata, who described hours of military poundings, casualties and dwindling resources to treat the wounded. “We’re under the bombs.” <\/p>\n
An opposition member said Friday that “Misrata is on fire,” adding that Gadhafi’s regime announced a cease-fire to buy itself more time. <\/p>\n
“Please help us,” he pleaded. <\/p>\n
Outside Ajdabiya in eastern Libya, fighters who don’t trust Gadhafi said they believe that the declaration was a sham as sounds of explosions pierced through the air.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday warned Gadhafi to pull back from several besieged cities or face military consequences. But he insisted American troops will not be deployed in Libya. <\/p>\n
Obama also said power and water must be restored to several cities.<\/p>\n
“These terms are not negotiable,” Obama said.<\/p>\n
If Gadhafi doesn’t comply, the U.N. resolution will be imposed through military action, the president said.<\/p>\n
The U.N. resolution, while not authorizing such a move, does not preclude the United States from arming rebels, said Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the United States was planning to provide weapons to the opposition, Rice said, “We are focused immediately on protection of civilians, on ensuring that the march to Benghazi does not continue and that those who are most vulnerable have the rights and protections that they deserve.”<\/p>\n
Discussion about speedy military action against Gadhafi’s regime surfaced Friday in Europe and North America. <\/p>\n
Countries such as Britain, Spain and Canada have started mobilizing military equipment and personnel in preparation to intervene. <\/p>\n
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the United Kingdom has started preparations to deploy aircraft, and “in the coming hours,” they will move to air bases where they will be positioned for any “necessary action.”<\/p>\n
Other nations, including Spain and Canada, said they will provide forces and fighter jets, respectively. <\/p>\n
CNN’s Arwa Damon, Nic Robertson, Richard Roth, Tommy Evans, Elise Labott, Al Goodman, John King, Alan Silverleib, Raja Razek, Jennifer Rizzo, Joe Vaccarello, Yousuf Basil and Reza Sayah and journalist Mohamed Fadel Fahmy contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
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