European governments send rescue missions to Libyan desert

British Prime Minister David Cameron sent in a military-led mission to rescue U.K. citizens despite the fact that the U.K. did not have permission to enter Libyan airspace. Three aircraft were sent in to retrieve 150 civilians, but it was not completely safe. One of the aircraft was hit by small arms fire but did not receive any major damage. Germany had also sent in two airplanes to retreive 132 European Union citizens in a secret mission inside Libyan airspace. This willingness to send military aircraft into Libyan airspace shows that Western governments are growing impatient with Gadhafi. In fact, the U.S. has now strongly urged Gadhafi to step down now that American citizens appear to be out of the country.

- By Peter Zafiropoulos

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/27/libya.rescues/index.html