Libya, March 20: Armed men have detained the crew of an Italian ship in the Libyan port of Tripoli as Jets belonging to the US-led war alliance have carried out airstrikes against the crisis-hit country.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported on Sunday that the crew of the ocean-going tug comprised of eight Italians, two Indians and one Ukrainian.
Italy on Saturday expressed full support for plans to take military action against Libya as Italian ministers pledged their backing and a parliamentary committee voted to authorize the use of airbases and other assets.
On Saturday, the United States, Britain and France launched air and sea attacks on targets in Libya, as part of an international military action against forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
French warplanes fired the first shots at the Libyan military forces in the eastern city of Benghazi. Hours later, American and British warships and submarines fired missiles at targets in the capital Tripoli and the western city of Misrata.
Heavy bursts of anti-aircraft fire, machine guns and explosions have been heard in Tripoli.
Libyan state television says 48 people were killed and 150 wounded in the strikes, including civilians.
The action follows a UN Security Council vote on Thursday endorsing an international military intervention to enforce a no-fly-zone over Libyan air space.
Canada is also sending warplanes to the region.
However, China, Russia and the African Union have condemned the military effort.
Gaddafi has promised retaliation, saying he will open arms depots to people to fight the allied forces.
—-Agencies