British Forces Cyprus (BFC) is providing support to ongoing operations over Libya and, ''through the British High Commission, will keep the Republic of Cyprus Authorities informed of developments.''

In a press release, BFC says that ''RAF Akrotiri is hosting VC-10, RAF E3D and Sentinel surveillance aircraft,'' and that it is not being used to launch offensive strikes on Libya.

''These aircraft will provide a surveillance and re-fuelling capability similar to that previously used to support humanitarian operations to evacuate British citizens and other foreign nationals from Libya,'' it adds.

Furthermore, it notes that ''regional coordination of UK air assets will be controlled by Joint Force Air Component HQ based in RAF Akrotiri.''

BFC says ''the duration of the operation and support from RAF Akrotiri will continue for as long as BFC are tasked to do so'' and that ''the UK's stated aims are to support UNSCR 1973.''

''RAF Akrotiri is not being used to launch offensive strikes on Libya, nor is it hosting air assets from any other nation for this operation. There are no plans to deploy Typhoon or Tornado aircraft to RAF Akrotiri,'' it points out.
It also says that ''no further details of current or future operations will be provided by BFC.''