Sarkozy to propose strategic air strikes on Gaddafi bases: reports

According to various media reports, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will propose to European Union (EU) leaders that they coordinate targeted air strikes on Moammar Gaddafi’s command headquarters in Libya to prevent his forces from carrying out more destruction against rebel forces.

At the EU summit on the Libyan crisis, Sarkozy will propose striking an extremely limited number of points which are the source of the most deadly operations by forces loyal to Gaddafi, said an unnamed source.

Sarkozy has reportedly already discussed his idea with members of his ruling Union pour un Mouvement Populaire [UMP] Party in France. NATO ministers are also meeting in Brussels to discuss their military options in Libya.

Sarkozy has been urging quick international actions against Gaddafi. Earlier today, the French government became the first in the world to officially recognize the Libyan rebel groups as the legitimate administration of Libya.

According to sources cited by Agence France Presse and other media outlets, the three sites that might be attacked comprise Gaddafi's Bab al-Azizia command headquarters in Tripoli, a military air base in Sirte (east of Tripoli) and another in Sebha in the south of Libya.

Sarkozy's office declined to confirm the reports, according to AFP.

We are not there yet. We are first going to ask for legal authorization to prevent the use of force by Gaddafi, said an official.

Reportedly, Sarkozy wants to hack communications systems being used by Gaddafi loyalists.

Meanwhile, Libya is seeking to cut diplomatic ties with France.

Libya’s official news agency Jana quoted a foreign ministry official condemning France for its “dangerous intervention in Libyan affairs.”

Libyan state TV also broadcast reports “of a grave secret that will trigger the fall of Sarkozy, maybe his trial, in connection with fundings for his presidential campaign.”

Libyan opposition groups are embracing the French initiatives.

“France is acting as the icebreaker in the European Union,” said Moustapha Gheriani, a spokesman for the Libyan opposition in Benghazi.