Qatar first Arab country to join military mission in Libya

The Qatari air force would be participating in the enforcement of the United Nations-mandated no-fly zone over Libya, Qatari media reported on Monday.

This would make the Gulf state the first Arab country to actively participate in the mission.

The move comes "as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was issued following the Arab League's decision in this regard," the Qatari News Agency reported.

A French military spokesman said on Sunday that four Qatari jets were expected to arrive in the Libyan zone of operations, Al Jazeera reported.

Western powers have stressed the importance of Arab participation in and endorsement of the mission in Libya.