Paris, April 21 (IANS) French President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to intensify raids against forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and to back rebels and protect civilians.
In an meeting Wednesday with Moustapha Adeljalil, head of the Libyan Council of National Transition, at the Elysee Palace - the French president's official residence - Sarkozy promised "an intensification of international air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi forces", Xinhua reported citing Europe 1 radio channel.
Adeljalil said after the meeting that Sarkozy promised to increase support to them and that he invited the French president to Benghazi.
Francois Baroin, spokesman of the French government, said earlier in the day that "a very small number of liaison officers" will be sent to Libya to organise and secure the safety of civilians.