Sarkozy says France, U.K. ready to hit Libya

MOSCOW. March 11. KAZINFORM French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Britain are ready to launch "targeted air strikes" on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces if they use chemical weapons or warplanes against civilians; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

Sarkozy said he would urge European leaders to follow France's lead in recognizing the Libyan rebel leadership, the National Libyan Council, as he arrived for an emergency EU summit on Libya on Friday.

He urged defensive limited strikes on Gaddafi's key military command positions as pro-Gaddafi forces were reported to be retaking control of the cities of Zawiya and Ras Lanuf, previously held by the rebels.

Sarkozy and British Prime Minister are in Brussels to win EU backing for a UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

Russia joined UN arms embargo on Libya on Thursday, but says it is opposed to Western military intervention; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

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