The US and its European allies have claimed that initial operations against Muammer Gaddafi’s forces in Libya have been “very effective,” halting his march on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and creating a no -fly zone over the state.

As the US, France and Britain pressed ahead with the biggest western intervention in the Arab world since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, America’s top soldier said the coalition effort had “taken out” most of the Libyan leader’s air defence systems and some of his airfields, while also destroying some tanks on the ground.

“Operations yesterday went very well,” said the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. “He [Gaddafi] hasn’t had aircraft?.?.?. flying the last couple days. So effectively that no-fly zone has been put in place.”