USS Enterprise on its way to Libya

March 1, 2011

y-repositions-warships-ahead-sanctions-proposed-fly-zone.html

USS Enterprise on its way to Libya as America and Britain ramp up threats to

enforce no-fly zone above Gaddafi

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:22 AM on 1st March 2011

Cameron vows military action if killings continue

Pentagon says ships preparing for no-fly zone or humanitarian aid missions

International pressure increases as Gaddafi refuses to relinquish power

The U.S. Navy was repositioning its heavy-hitting warships around North Africa

tonight as America and Britain dramatically increased pressure on Libyan leader

Moammar Gaddafi.

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which had been had been on pirate-hunting

duty off the coast of Somalia, has now steamed to the mouth of the Suez Canal in

the Red Sea.

The deadly strike force aboard the nuclear-powered carrier is already within

flying distance of Libya but the Enterprise is said to be heading closer to

country and its rogue dictator.

While the Pentagon would not confirm whether the Enterprise was preparing for an

intervention mission, world leaders dramatically ramped up pressure on Libya

today - with British Prime Minister Cameron vowing to set up a no-fly zone

and use 'military assets' to protect the Libyan people against further attack.

Mr Cameron said: `We must not tolerate this regime using military force against

its own people. In that context I have asked the Ministry of Defence and the

Chief of the Defence Staff to work with our allies on plans for a military

no-fly zone. My message to Colonel Gaddafi is simple: " Go now " .'

The Prime Minister threatened Colonel Gaddafi with military action, saying if he

turned his air force on the rebels, RAF warplanes would be able to intervene.

There was no immediate U.S. response to Mr Cameron's comments - but the current

movements of its Navy suggest a co-ordinated move against Gaddafi was underway.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said the military was 'repositioning'

forces to be ready to assist in case a no-fly zone was enforced. He said that,

more likely, U.S. forces would be asked to provide humanitarian relief once the

tense situation is resolved.

Still, the Enterprise - with its compliment of F-14 Tomcat fighters - is not the

best candidate for a humanitarian aid mission.

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