At least 48 people have died since the US, Britain and France began pounding Libya with air strikes and Tomahawk missiles, according to an initial toll given to AFP by a Libyan official early today.
Missiles were fired from US and British destroyers and submarines at radar stations and anti-aircraft positions and near the Tripoli headquarters of strongman Muammar Gaddafi, prompting barrages of anti-aircraft fire from Libyan forces.
Bombs were also dropped by RAF Tornado aircraft which flew a long-range mission from the UK, and French Mirage and Rafale aircraft.
Libya demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council