France sends “massive” aid to Libya’s Benghazi

France will send two planes full of medical aid to the Libyan city of Benghazi, held by opponents of Muammar Gaddafi, marking the start of a humanitarian operation, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Monday.
"In a few hours two airplanes will leave for Benghazi at the request of the French government with doctors, nurses, medical equipment, and it will mark the start of a massive humanitarian aid operation for the people in the liberated territories," Fillon said in an interview on RTL.
Opponents of the Libyan leader have taken control of Benghazi, the country's second city, and leading citizens have set up committees to act as a local authority and run services.
Since the uprising against Gaddafi's rule erupted on February 17, he has lost control of the east of the country, where Benghazi is located, and of several other major towns, though his loyalists still control the capital, Tripoli.