First Nato strikes in Libya with attack copters: official

BRUSSELS: Nato announced Saturday it had for the first time used attack helicopters in Libya, striking military vehicles, military equipment and forces backing embattled leader Colonel Moamer Qadhafi.

“Attack helicopters under Nato command were used for the first time on 4 June 2011 in military operations over Libya as part of Operation Unified Protector,” the Atlantic Alliance said in a statement.

“The targets struck included military vehicles, military equipment and fielded forces,” said the statement, without detailing exactly where the strikes had taken place.

“The use of attack helicopters provides the Nato operation with additional flexibility to track and engage pro-Qadhafi forces who deliberately target civilians and attempt to hide in populated areas,” the statement went on.

Nato forces “are constantly reviewing their operations and use of available assets, including attack helicopters, to best maintain the momentum and increase the pressure on pro-Qadhafi forces.”

The statement recalled that Nato’s operation was being conducted under UN Security Resolution 1973, “which calls for an immediate end to all attacks against civilians and authorized all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya.”