Tornado jets from RAF Lossiemouth are expected to fly out to Libya this week to help enforce the no-fly zone over the country.

Tornado jets from RAF Lossiemouth are expected to fly out to Libya this week to help enforce the no-fly zone over the country.

Two fighter planes from the base are included in the British force involved in multinational military action in the Middle Eastern country.

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has been defiant in the face of the bombing, vowing to fight a "long war" after Western air strikes targeted his forces on the ground.

Forces loyal to Gaddafi are locked in an offensive against rebels holding the coastal city of Benghazi.

No personnel from RAF Lossiemouth are taking part in the air strikes, which are being co-ordinated from RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Typhoon fighters are also involved in the operation, which could mean a role for planes from RAF Leuchars.

The sorties are the longest range bombing missions to have been carried out by the air force since the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The operation has been supported by VC10 and Tristar air-to-air refuelling aircraft as well as E3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft, a submarine and the navy frigate HMS Westminster.

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