Canada Considers NATO Plea for More Jets in Libya

France and Britain have asked for their coalition partners to pitch in more fighter aircraft to repel Gadhafi's forces.

Canada has not yet ruled out sending more CF-18s to support the mission in Libya after Britain and France asked this week for their NATO allies to step up the effort to oust Moammar Gadhafi. The Libyan rebels have requested more aerial support this past week as Gadhafi's forces have intensified shelling of Misrata, the country's third-largest city. The U.S. has been hesitant to increase its presence in Libya, as its planes have flown about a third of all missions there so far. U.S. officials have urged European countries to take a bigger role in the conflict, helmed by Canadian Lt.-Gen. Charles Bouchard. Canada's seven fighter aircraft in Libya have flown about an eighth of the coalition's 832 missions.