US says 5-nation coalition launching Libya strikes

A five-country coalition including the United States, France, Britain, Canada and Italy is launching strikes on Libya designed to cripple Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

The air strikes will mainly target air defenses around the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Misrata, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity, in a joint operation called "Odyssey Dawn." (Reuters)