In Libya’s skies, Qatar is also flexing its muscles. From an air base in Crete, the tiny Persian Gulf nation has started its biggest, farthest combat deployment – including a third of its fighter-jet fleet – and given the first Arab face to the Western-led coalition hoping to protect Libyan civilians from Muammar Qaddafi’s firepower.
Since March 25, the start of their participation, Qatari Mirage jets have flown wing-to-wing with the French in four-plane patrols over north-eastern Libya, an area controlled by the rebels. Military commanders said the zone was selected for its relative proximity to Crete, and their jets have tallied no strikes or air combat – so far.
The French government, a key proponent of action against Qaddafi’s forces, is eager to highlight Qatar’s participation to stress that it’s not a Western-only intervention. Journalists accompanied the heads of the Qatari and French air forces and other military officials aboard a French state-owned business jet Sunday for a visit to the joint operation on the Mediterranean base at Souda.