Source:
AGI(AGI) Abu Dhabi - Italy's defence minister, Ignazio La Russa, confirms the dispatch of navy vessel 'Elettra' off Libyan waters. Yet to set sail from the port of La Spezia, the electronic warfare and recce ship "is being dispatched to international waters off the coast of Libya", the minister said
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http://www.agi.it/english-version/italy/elenco-notizie/201102212243-cro-ren1104-govt_confirms_dispatch_of_navy_ship_off_libyan_waters
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Italy on alert as Libyan jet pilots flee
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Malta is the European Union member state closest to Libyan shores, located just 340 kilometres north of the Libyan coastline.
After the landings in Malta, Italy said it had put its air bases on high alert and was moving air force and navy helicopters to southern Italy.
Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa said Italy was also deploying the Elettra, a military vessel used for intelligence and reconnaissance.
Italian experts have warned of a massive influx of refugees from Libya if there is a power vacuum in the country.
more:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/italy-on-alert-as-libyan-jet-pilots-flee-20110222-1b2vj.html