France to step up strike against Qaddafi forces

Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France announced in a press conference in Kiev that France would step up air strikes in Libya to protect civilians from Muammar Qadaffi’s forces, AFP reported on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, France also opposed the idea of sending ground troops into Libya to guide air strikes as the West struggles to break a military stalemate in the North African country, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday.

Mr. Juppe said the situation in Libya was “difficult” and “confused” a month after France launched the first UN-mandated strikes against Colonel Qaddafi’s forces.

He added that the West had underestimated the Libyan leader’s resilience, and his ability to adapt his tactics in response to the coalition campaign.

“I remain absolutely opposed to a deployment of troops on the ground,” Mr. Juppe told reporters, saying it would not be allowed under a United Nations Security Council resolution permitting the intervention in Libya.

Mr. Qaddafi’s army has switched to light vehicles like pickup trucks after strikes led by France, Britain and the United States targeted his tanks and heavy weaponry.

“It is likely ... that there will not be a military solution,” Mr. Juppe added.

(Dina Al-Shibeeb of Al Arabiya