TIMELINE: Storm over Libya
2011-04-02 18:48
Tripoli - Key events since the UN Security Council approved international measures to protect civilians in Libya:
Thursday, March 17:
- With the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi poised to attack the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, the UN Security Council agrees a resolution approving military action.
Saturday, March 19:
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosts a summit on the crisis. As it ends, French jets attack pro-Gaddafi forces. US and British warships fire more than 100 missiles at Libyan targets.
Sunday, March 20:
- The US military says the first phase of the operation has halted Gaddafi's forces in their march on Benghazi.
- Gaddafi says all Libyans are ready to fight "a long, drawn-out war" against a "barbaric aggression."
- The Arab League criticises the scale of the attacks while the African Union calls for an "immediate stop" to the offensive.
Monday, March 21:
- Pro-Gaddafi forces retreat from Benghazi.
- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says the Western offensive resembles a "mediaeval crusade," India calls for a halt and Germany confirms its decision to remain on the sidelines.
Saturday, March 26:
- Rebels take over the eastern towns of Ajdabiya and Brega after a barrage of Western air strikes against Gaddafi's forces.
Sunday, March 27:
- Pressing westwards in the wake of coalition bombing runs against Gaddafi's forces, the rebels take the oil town of Ras Lanuf. They promise that oil exports will soon resume.
Monday, March 28:
- The rebels advance on Gaddafi's home town of Sirte.
Tuesday, March 29:
- Gaddafi loyalists push rebels back in eastern Libya.
- Pro-Gaddafi forces also advance on the rebel-held town of Misrata, east of Tripoli.
- International powers meeting in London agree unanimously that Gaddafi should go. They agree to create a contact group to map out a future for Libya and to meet again as soon as possible in Qatar.
Wednesday, March 30:
- Gaddafi's forces overrun Ras Lanuf and Brega. Rebels scatter eastwards.
- Disagreement emerges between countries enforcing the no-fly zone over arming the rebels.
- Libyan Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa arrives in Britain after resigning, in a setback for Gaddaf.
- Rebels say no Al-Qaeda members within their ranks.
Thursday, March 31:
- Nato takes full command of all Libyan operations from the United States.
- Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says arming the insurgents was beyond the scope of the alliance.
- An aid ship docks in Misrata, bringing one of the first shipments to the besieged third city since it came under fierce attack by Gaddafi's forces.
- Gaddafi warns western leaders they have started something in Libya which they cannot control.
- About 20 to 25% of Gaddafi's military has been knocked out by Nato-led bombing, the Pentagon says.
Friday, April 1:
- Rebels battle with Gaddafi's forces for Brega.
- The opposition says it is ready for a ceasefire provided Gaddafi's forces end their assaults on rebel-held cities, a proposal the regime rejects as a "trick".
- British officials met a top Libyan regime aide in London and gave him a "strong message" that Gaddafi had to step down, a government source says.
Saturday, April 2:
- Rebels claim control of Brega, but intense fighting ensues in and around the town.
- Nato expresses concern after rebels say a coalition air raid late on Friday killed 13 people, including four civilians, near Brega.