France says airstrikes against Libya to continue

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French foreign minister Alain Juppe said on Thursday that coalition airstrikes against Libya had been a "success" and would continue, while denying civilians had been targeted.

"We will continue with the airstrikes," Juppe told RTL radio, adding that the strikes were "only targeting military sites and nothing else."

He said the strikes were a "success" and would "continue as long as necessary."

Juppe insisted the operation was aimed at protecting the civilian population from attacks by forces loyal to strongman Muammar Gaddafi and denied reports that the airstrikes had killed civilians, saying "it is the exact opposite."

The foreign minister added that France was in favour of handing over responsibility for implementing a UN-approved "no-fly" zone to Nato.