Major events in the last month or so:
30 April – The Libyan government claimed a NATO airstrike killed Saif al-Arab al-Gaddafi and three of Muammar al-Gaddafi's grandchildren in an apparent assassination attempt on the leader. They took journalists to tour what appeared to be a residential house in a wealthy section of Tripoli that had been hit by at least three missiles, but did not show them the bodies of the purported dead.
1 May – NATO air strikes destroyed 45 government vehicles after they were used in attacks that killed five civilians in Jalu and Awlijah. After attacks on their Embassy, Her Majesty's British Government expelled the Libyan Ambassador from the United Kingdom. Later, the British Embassy in Tripoli was completely burnt down. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the government's actions broke the Vienna Convention, as they are required to "protect diplomatic missions." International staff of the UN also pulled out of Tripoli following attacks.
19 May – Eight ships of the Libyan Navy were destroyed in the ports of Tripoli, Al Khums and Sirte. Elsewhere, NATO aircraft flew 166 sorties, 60 of which were strike sorties.
And news from the UK:
Britain and France are to deploy attack helicopters against Libya in an attempt to break the military stalemate, particularly in the important coastal city of Misrata, security sources have told the Guardian.
In a significant escalation of the conflict, the Apaches – based on HMS Ocean – will join French helicopters in risky operations which reflect deepening frustration among British and French defence chiefs about their continuing inability to protect civilians in Libya.
And I guess it's just a coincidence that British Army WAH-64 Apache's have been taking part in a training exercise off the coast of Gibraltar inboard HMS Ocean (helicopter assault ship) on at the start of the month. Story here
