LONDON, March 24 (UPI) -- The case for continued and coordinated military intervention in Libya is "utterly compelling," the British foreign secretary told lawmakers Thursday.
Forces led by French, U.S. and British militaries continued striking Libyan targets in support of U.N. Security Council 1973, which authorized force to protect civilians from fighters loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Thursday before the House of Commons that Gadhafi forces continue to target civilians and will therefore continue to face the brunt of an international military response.
"The case for this action remains utterly compelling," he said. "Appalling violence against Libyan citizens continues to take place, exposing the regime's claims to have ordered a cease-fire to be an utter sham."
The unified coalition said it had control over Libyan airspace. Forces late Wednesday continued striking Gadhafi compounds in Tripoli, though the fiery leader appeared defiant on state television earlier this week.
Hague said citizens in the city of Misrata were under attack by pro-Gadhafi snipers, advancing the need for humanitarian intervention.
"A no-fly zone has now been established and the regime's integrated air defense system has been comprehensively degraded," he added. "There are no Libyan military aircraft flying."
French officials later Thursday said they shot down a Libyan fighter jet that had violated the no-fly zone over Misrata.
The international community is debating whether language in the Security Council resolution justifies attacks directly on Gadhafi.
