Libya: France sends military team to rebel territory

France has sent military advisers into insurgent-held eastern Libya, with Britain and Italy to follow suit, as Tripoli warned foreign boots on the ground would prolong the conflict.

Rebels engage soldiers loyal to Col Gaddafi inside a house in Misurata

The developments come as the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata desperately pleaded for help against Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces, who have been pounding it for more than six weeks.
The bombardment continued on Wednesday, with loud explosions heard mid-afternoon in Misurata, where there was heavy overnight fighting and from which thousands of people are trying to flee.

And two French Mirage fighter jets believed to be involved in operations against Libya were forced to make emergency landings in Malta on Wednesday after running out of fuel, civil aviation sources said.
In Paris, France's foreign ministry spokesman said: "France has placed a small number of liaison officers alongside our special envoy to Benghazi who are carrying out a liaison mission with the TNC [Transitional National Council].

"The precise objective is to give the TNC essentially technical, logistical and organisational advice to reinforce the protection of civilians and to improve the distribution of humanitarian and medical aid."
source : telegraph