Gaddafi forces bomb rebel-held Benghazi

Saint Patrick's Day but not a good day for the rebels in Libya.

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have launched their first bombing raids on the main rebel-held city of Benghazi.


BBC correspondents in the city heard the sound of low-flying aircraft and explosions on the outskirts of the second city, which has a population of a million.

Reports say the targets included the city's airport at Benina.

Western countries want a no-fly zone to halt the advance of government forces.


The official Libyan news agency Jana is reporting that Libyan government forces will cease military operations from midnight on Sunday to give rebels the opportunity to hand over their weapons and "benefit from the decision on general amnesty".
The AFP news agency quotes a rebel spokesman as saying two of the planes attacking Benghazi were shot down.


Reuters quotes an unnamed rebel spokesman as saying: "We have no evidence that any of the strikes caused any damage. It seems to us like a warning, a challenge to the international community."

The Red Cross has announced that it is withdrawing from Benghazi because of the deteriorating security situation in the city.

No fly zone finally declared