Qatari aircraft are expected to join the enforcement of a UN no-fly zone over Libya this weekend, a senior US commander said Tuesday.
Qatar has pledged to send four fighter jets to join the international coalition and would be the first Arab country to join military operations, dpa reported.
The US and French militaries were consulting on how to best use Qatar's contribution and determine its support requirements, Admiral Samuel J Locklear, commander of US Navy Forces Africa, told reporters in Washington via tele-conference from his command ship in Libya's vicinity.
"If all things work the way I think it's going to work ... they will be up and flying in the coalition by the weekend," Locklear said.
Arabic support for the military action under a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians in Libya's internal conflict has been seen as critical for the coalition, which largely consists of Western nations. The Arab League has endorsed the no-fly zone.
...