International military action has begun against Libya. French fighter planes have begun attacking targets around the embattled city of Benghazi.
The decision was made in response to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's continued attacks against rebel-held Benghazi, despite promising a ceasefire, and in defiance of a United Nations no-fly zone imposed on Thursday.
"As of now, our aircraft are preventing planes from attacking the town," Sarkozy said Saturday after an emergency meeting of world leaders in Paris.
Sarkozy condemned the "murderous madness" of Gadhafi, and added "our determination is total."
Warplanes in action
Qatar and several European nations, including Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, on Saturday confirmed their will to take part in a UN-sanctioned military intervention in Libya, a diplomat said.
France and Britain have been leading calls and plans for attacks on Gadhafi's forces to prevent attacks on rebels. Canada has also said it will send several fighter jets to take part.
Earlier on Saturday, French warplanes took off from their base at Saint-Dizier in eastern France to conduct reconnaissance flights over Libyan territory.
Echoing the French president, British Prime Minister David Cameron said, "the time for action has come. Colonel Gadhafi has made this happen."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was more circumspect about military intervention. "Germany had concerns about part of the UN resolution," she said. "But now it has been passed we want it to be implemented successfully."
"We are united that the war must be ended. The resolution must be pushed through," Merkel told reporters. "We will not take part in the action in military terms. We will take on additional responsibilities in Afghanistan." Such a move would free up NATO forces to go into Libya.
Author: Ben Knight (AFP, Reuters, DPA)
Editor: Andreas Illmer