Military buildup for Libya mounts at Italy bases

Six Danish F-16 fighter jets have landed at the US naval air station in Sigonella, Sicily as the international military buildup mounts for action against Libya.

Six Danish F-16 fighter jets have landed at the US naval air station in Sigonella, Sicily as the international military buildup mounts for action against Libya.

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Danish air force spokesman Lars Skjoldan said the six F-16s would be ready for operation in Libya by Sunday.

Italy has offered the use of seven air and navy bases already housing US, NATO and Italian forces to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya and protect Libyan civilians from Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Sigonella's size and close proximity to Libya makes it a key staging point.

Italy's defense minister, Ignazio La Russa, said on Saturday that Italy wasn't just "renting out" its bases for others to use, but was prepared to offer "moderate but determined" military support.