The U.S. military has launched its first missile attacks in Libya against forces led by Muammar Qaddafi in the western part of the country, according to a senior Defense Department official quoted on CNN. The U.S. Tomahawk missiles struck near Tripoli and Misrata. Initial reports said the U.S. is operating in a coalition that includes British and French forces, with Canada poised to join. 

 
Relying on the unnamed Defense Department official, CNN said that the attacks are intended be to degrade air defenses, and that ground forces will be targeted as well "because they carry capability to shoot down planes." Sources in Tripoli told BBC Arabic that the eastern areas of Sawani, Airport Road, and Ghasheer had been targeted. 
 
Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters Saturday that "earlier this afternoon over 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from both US and British ships and submarines struck more than 20 integrated air defense systems and other air defense facilities ashore."
 
The U.S. military strikes "clear the way for European and other planes to enforce a no-fly zone designed to ground Qaddafi's air force and cripple his ability to inflict further violence on rebels," U.S. officials told Fox News.
 
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," U.S. President Barack Obama said in an audio statement from Brazil, while Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was quoted as saying "We will stand with the people of Libya and we will not waver (in our effort) to protect them." British Prime Minister David Cameron delivered a similar message, saying: "What we are doing is necessary, it is legal and it is right. I believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people."
 
A British submarine has fired a number of missiles at Libyan air defense targets, the Ministry of Defense in London said.
 
French planes fired on a Libyan military vehicle Saturday evening, according to the French Defense Ministry. French planes also flew reconnaissance missions. 
 
Libyan state TV reported that what it called the "crusader enemy" had bombed civilian areas of Tripoli and fuel storage tanks supplying Misrata.
 
The Canadian Press reported Sunday that Six CF-18 fighter-bombers were being prepared at a Canadian base in Quebec for deployment over Libya. Once the Canadian government gives the final go-ahead, the report said, they will take part in enforcing the no-fly zone that the United Nations Security Council authorized Thursday night.