Libyan state television said hundreds of Libyans gathered at Bab al-Aziziyah, the headquarters of leader Muammar Gaddafi, and the international airport to serve as human shields.

"Crowds are forming around the targets identified by France," state television said, showing pictures of flag-waving people gathering at Gaddafi's headquarters and the airport.

Earlier, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said French warplanes are overflying Benghazi, preventing Gaddafi's air strikes on the Libyan rebel bastion, and ready to attack his tanks.

He said the action came in line with a UN Security Council resolution adopted Thursday imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.

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