Global General

France denies plane shot down in Libya

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-20 07:38

PARIS- French military sources denied previous report that one of its planes carrying out operations in Libya was shot down on Saturday.

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"We deny (that), all the planes that went out today have returned," spokesman of French General Staff, Thierry Burkhard was quoted by AFP as saying.

Previous report by Libyan official television said one French plane was shot down by Libyan force in the region of Tripoli.

French air force took the lead Saturday to launch air strikes against Libyan government troops, destroying tanks and armored vehicles in Benghazi, the last strong-hold of rebels.

There are some 20 French warplanes involved in the operation, including eight Rafale, two Mirage 2000-D, two Mirage 2000-5, some refueling aircraft and some Awacs, airborne warning and control aircraft, according to media reports.