(French and British) Helicopters fo fly in Libya as soon as ready -NATO

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters Africa

* Four British and four French helicopters available

* British ministers gave clearance for use on Thursday (Adds details, background)

BRUSSELS May 27 (Reuters) - French and British helicopters will be put into action in Libya under NATO command as soon as they are ready, the commander of NATO's operation for the North African country said on Friday.

"These helicopters will be operated under the Unified Protector mandate and therefore NATO command and control ... they will be brought into action as soon as they are ready," Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchardtold a briefing.

Bouchard said the helicopters would have an "aggressive" mission "surely focused on attacking those forces that are dedicated to bringing violence".

NATO officials said four British Apache attack helicopters were available aboard the assault ship HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean as well as four French Tigres aboard the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre.

Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE74Q0SZ20110527