UK aircraft are helping to patrol the no-fly zone alongside our international allies.

The Chief of the Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Officer, Major General John Lorimer, said last night:

RAF Eurofighter Typhoon. Photo: M. van Leeuwen Z.A.P.P. archive

“Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby and RAF Leuchars deployed forward to Gioia del Colle in southern Italy on Sunday.

“Today, Typhoons flew their first ever combat mission while patrolling the no-fly zone in support of UNSCR 1973.

“Coalition forces’ action has, over the weekend, stopped Colonel Gaddafi’s forces from seizing control of Benghazi.

“GR4 Tornados left RAF Marham in Norfolk this afternoon on an air reconnaissance mission over Libya as part of Operation ELLAMY. The Tornados have now landed at Gioia del Colle which will be their new base of operations, as we had planned.”