Predator drones strike Qadhafi forces
NAPLES – NATO military forces destroyed a Qadhafi regime Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) in the vicinity of Misrata at approximately 1100 GMT today. The strike was carried out by a Predator Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) weapons system provided to support Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. The MRL system has been used against civilians in Misrata.
NATO has kept up a high operational tempo -- over 3,000 sorties since we took full command of the mission, almost half of them strikes. We have struck a broad range of targets across the country - tanks and rocket launchers, armoured vehicles and ammunition stores, command and control sites.
UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack.