Since the start of the civil war in Libya, the mainstream media has provided a biased and distorted picture of what is happening on the ground in Libya. In this regard, the mainstream media, rather than informing public opinion, is serving the war agenda.

The French government has denied that any of its military jets have been downed during their attacks. Paris is withholding this news to prevent a surge in public demands that France withdraw from the war on Libya.  

Internal Libyan sources reported (unconfirmed) at 15:40 EST the capture of an Italian vessel and sailors, who were detained. The Libyan government has also started supplying the Libyan population with food rations, medicine, and weapons to defend themselves.

Update: the Western media reports on the capture of a civilian vessel, the crew were subsequently released.

At about 18:20 EST, Libyan sources reported (unconfirmed) that additional coalition jets were downed. Two of these military jets have been identified as Qatari military planes. Sofar we have been able to corroborate these reports.

In a clear case of international double-standards, Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which are involved in supressing democracy, are now partners in the war against Libya.

According to Libyan sources (unconfirmed), a total of five French jets have been shot down. Three of these attacking French jets were, according to the reports, shot down in Tripoli. The other two French military jets were shot down while attacking Sirt (Surt/Sirte).

According to Libyan sources, the Libyan people are ready for a protracted war to defend their country against coalition attacks. 

Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya specializes on the Middle East and Central Asia. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG). Please consult his work on Libya.