The Azerbaijan State News Agency

Gaddafi vows 'long war' in Libya

Baku, March 20 (AZERTAC). Col Muammar Gaddafi says Libya will fight a "long war" after Western air strikes against his forces to protect rebel-held areas.

Military officials are said to be assessing the damage after at least 110 missiles were fired by the US and UK.

After one attack, some 14 bodies were lying near destroyed military vehicles outside the rebel-held city of Benghazi after French raids, Reuters says.

The UN Security Council has approved the use of force to protect civilians.

Cruise missiles hit at least 20 air-defence sites in the capital, Tripoli, and the western city of Misrata, Western military officials said.

Libyan TV has broadcast footage it says showed some of the 150 people wounded in the attacks. It said 48 people had been killed.

There was no independent confirmation of the deaths and UK Finance Minister George Osborne told the BBC that such claims should be treated with caution as the military was striving to avoid civilian casualties.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus says coalition military planners will be urgently studying satellite and other reconnaissance imagery to determine how much damage has been done to Col Gaddafi's air defences and to see if some targets may have to be hit again.

He says they will also be monitoring the activities of Libyan government ground forces near key populated areas like Benghazi and Misrata, with any offensive action on their part bringing down urgent air strikes.

A Misrata resident told the BBC that pro-Gaddafi forces had launched fresh attacks on Sunday.

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