A pilot boards his French Dassault Rafale combat aircraft, seen in this photo released by ECPAD (French Defence communication and audiovisual production agency), at the Saint-Dizier military base, eastern France, March 19, 2011, before taking off on a mission to overfly
Libya.
Canadian CF18 Hornet fighters arrive at the air base of Trapani Birgi in the southern island of Sicily on March 18, 2011. Italian air bases could play a key role in any military action against
Libya but the prospect of
Rome's first operation against its former colony since
World War II carries high risks, experts said.
Crew members perform pre-flight preparations on Italian Tornado ECR fighters at the Trapani Birgi air base in the southern island of Sicily on March 18, 2011.
Italy on March 18 offered the use of its air bases to impose a no-fly zone on Libya and said it could help take out Libyan radars and defence systems after the UN cleared the way for air strikes. Italy has 'granted the use of military bases on its national territory', the government's press office said after an emergency cabinet meeting in
Rome.
A Danish F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter flies over the Sigonella
NATO Airbase in the southern Italian island of Sicily March 19, 2011.