The strikes will come "rapidly... within a few hours," he told RTL radio after the UN Security Council on Thursday cleared the way for air strikes by approving "all necessary measures" to impose a no-fly zone on Libya.

Shortly after Baroin spoke, Sarkozy met with Prime Minister Francois Fillon, as well as Defence Minister Gerard Longuet and army chief of staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud.

Baroin said the military action "is not an occupation of Libyan territory" but sought to "protect the Libyan people and to allow them to go all the way in their drive for freedom, which means bringing down the Kadhafi regime."

Baroin declined to say "when, how, on which targets, in what form," the strikes would come.

"The French who were at the vanguard of this call (for intervention) will naturally be part of the military intervention," he said.

"What happened last night (with the UN resolution) is a very important step in dealing with the war in Libya, Kadhafi's massacre of his people and we must recognise the powerful role played by President Nicolas Sarkozy and France."

Diplomats have indicated that air strikes from a coalition led by Britain, France and the United States could be imminent. However, the resolution rules out sending in foreign ground troops.

Baroin hailed the role of the 22-member Arab League in calling for action in Libya, without which "it would probably have been difficult to get the international community to do something."

"Even the Americans were in a bit of a position of waiting, of wait-and-see."

As for Germany, which along with four other countries abstained from the UN Security Council vote, Baroin said "we were already disappointed at the Council of Europe not to see Germany join us with the British in this action."

"But... what counts is what was done last night," he said. "I'm not sure, given the positions of Kadhafi and his son Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, that anything can make these terrorist and bloodthirsty dictators see reason."

earlier related report
Australia applauds UN decision on Libya
Sydney (AFP) March 18, 2011 - Australia on Friday welcomed the United Nations Security Council resolution to authorise air strikes on Libya, applauding the "decisive action".

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd have repeatedly demanded a halt to the violence by Moamer Kadhafi's regime, and said in a joint statement that the UN decision was a crucial step in achieving that goal.

"This is an important step by the international community towards stopping the Qaddafi's regime's attacks on the Libyan people," they said, using an alternative spelling of the Libyan leader's name.

"The Council has now responded to the calls from the international community, in particular the Arab League, for the imposition of such a (no-fly) zone.

"This is particularly timely given our fears for the people of Benghazi, who are facing attack from Qaddafi's forces."

On Thursday, Rudd had urged the international community not to go "weak at the knees" in reeling in Kadhafi to prevent "large-scale butchery".

Members of the Security Council approved a resolution permitting "all necessary measures" to impose the no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on Kadhafi's military.

The vote passed 10-0 with five abstentions in the 15 member council. Permanent members China and Russia were among those abstaining, but did not use their veto power, which would have sunk the resolution.

A coalition of Britain, France and the United States is expected to launch air strikes imminently as Kadhafi's troops close in on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

earlier related report
Italy mulls possible role in Libya no-fly zone
Rome (AFP) March 18, 2011 - Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi early Friday discussed Italy's response after a UN resolution cleared air strikes to halt Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi's onslaught on rebels.

Berlsuconi met with Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa, President Giorgio Napolitano, undersecretary of state Gianni Letta and top military officials to discuss the UN decision to impose a no-fly zone , ANSA news agency said.

"Let's hope Italy keeps out of this initiative," Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim told ANSA in Tripoli, referring to the possibility that Italy will allow its territory to be used for bombing raids on Libya.

"We are certain Italy has Libya's integrity and the protection of the population at heart. Let's hope that it doesn't consent to the use of its bases," he added.

Massimo Panizzi, a NATO advisor, told reporters in Brussels that the alliance would examine the UN resolution in detail before taking any action.

"The UN Security Council's resolution will be examined carefully. NATO will act on a clear mandate and with regional support," Panizzi told SKY Italy.

"NATO will now examine the resolution and will consider if it is necessary to act," he said.

Italy -- Libya's former colonial ruler and top trade partner -- has been diplomatically cautious so far but has voted in favour of sanctions against Kadhafi's regime in line with the rest of the international community.

A coalition of Britain, France and the United States is expected to launch air strikes imminently as Kadhafi's troops close in on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

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