International forces have launched attacks in Libya to enforce the UN-authorised no-fly zone to protect civilians. US President Barack Obama says he has authorised "limited military action in Libya".

French warplanes were the first to carry out air strikes in Libya, followed by US and British forces firing Tomahawk cruise missiles. The news came just hours after French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the launch of military action against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

US and British forces fired at least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libyan air defence sites controlled by Colonel Gaddafi, US Admiral William Gortney told a news conference.

The strikes against 20 targets are only the first phase of several more to come, another senior US military official said.

The attacks are being launched by the US, France, the UK, Canada and Italy, an anonymous Pentagon official says.

The coalition is backed by Western countries and Arab allies. Russia, Venezuela and the African Union have condemned the attacks.

A summit hosted by President Sarkozy in Paris was attended by European leaders, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary General  Ban Ki-moon and Arab League envoys. They agreed to use air power to enforce the UN resolution authorising "all necessary measures" short of an occupation to protect civilian lives.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says he holds Colonel Gaddafi responsible for the situation in his country and that "the time for action" by the international community had come. "Colonel Gaddafi has made this happen. He has lied to the international community, he has promised a ceasefire, he has broken that ceasefire. He continues to brutalise his own people," Mr Cameron told British television.

Western nations have called for strong Arab support for the military operation after Arab League foreign ministers called for the no-fly zone over Libya last week. 
   
In response, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa attended the Paris summit.  Qatar and several European nations, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, say they are ready to take part in a UN-sanctioned military intervention in Libya, diplomats say.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Clinton said that the aim of the UN Security Council resolution was "to protect civilians and to provide access for humanitarian assistance".

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