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Canadian war planes poised to enforce Libyan no-fly zone

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OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced Canada will send CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, despite Moammar Gadhafi’s ceasefire declaration.

Canada’s six war planes will join an international effort authorized by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday night.

“If Col. Gadhafi does not comply with this Security Council resolution, Canadian armed forces working with other like-minded nations will enforce this resolution,” Harper says.

Canada’s fighter jets last took part in such a mission in 1999 when they joined the NATO bombardment of the former Yugoslavia to stop ethnic violence against Kosovo Albanians.

Britain and France have already said they will send war planes to the mission. However, in the face of international resolve, Libya declared a ceasefire today and pledged to end military action.

Harper says that was an encouraging development, but did not change the fact that military resources must still be deployed.

“We are encouraged by late-breaking news that in response to the threat of military action the Libyan regime has declared a ceasefire,” says Harper. “However, for that threat to remain credible, adequate military forces must be in place. Our deployment will therefore proceed.”

He says he had spoken with Canada’s opposition leaders to advise them of the decision. Harper says the government would consult Parliament next week, and would seek its approval before extending the deployment beyond three months.

Canada worked with its allies to push for the UN resolution, he adds. “One either believes in freedom or one just says one just believes in freedom. The Libyan people have shown by their sacrifice that they believe in it. Assisting them is a moral obligation upon those of us who profess this great ideal.”

Harper says the action was necessary to prevent “further massacres.” Britain has announced it would send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets to air bases in the coming hours.

Britain, France, and NATO were holding emergency planning meetings today, but there were no details on what the US role would be in the military action.

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