By IANS,EFE,
Paris: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has said Spain will take part in establishing a no-fly zone in Libya with four F-18 fighter jets that will carry out air patrol missions.
Spain will also send an F-100 frigate and a submarine for maritime surveillance to help impose an international arms embargo on the Muammar Gaddafi regime.
Zapatero made the announcement at the residence of the Spanish ambassador in Paris, after taking part in a summit organised by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to coordinate military intervention in the North African country.
“Spain assumes its responsibility to enforce the UN resolution… and assumes its responsibility to protect the Libyan people,” Zapatero said.
Zapatero has informed Spanish king Juan Carlos and opposition Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy of the situation, and would appear Tuesday before parliament to seek ratification of the decision.
“The Libyan regime has not complied with the UN resolution, but the opportunity remains for them to do so immediately,” he said.
Zapatero insisted that Spain “must assume its responsibility” in applying the resolution, providing humanitarian aid and “helping the people of Libya achieve their hopes for a sustainable democracy in that country”.