The move comes as NATO defense ministers meet Thursday to weigh a possible no-fly zone against Kadhafi`s regime.
With the sophisticated, radar-equipped aircraft monitoring Libya`s skies, "we`ll have a much better picture and that will help inform the discussions that will take place in Brussels today," the NATO official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.
"It`s not a precursor to a no-fly zone," the official added.
After a decision announced earlier by NATO, at least three airborne warning and control system (AWACS) planes -- modified Boeing 707s -- started 24-hour surveillance as of Thursday at 6:30 am, the official said.
"Now they`ve got enough aircraft in place operating out of Trapani in southern Italy to be able to cover that part of the world on a 24/7 basis," said the official.
"The AWACS provides us with first-hand information about air activity, predominantly, because all we`ve had to go on is reports of the use of air power," the official said.
He added, however, that media reporting on bombing raids by Kadhafi`s aircraft "seems fairly compelling."
The AWACS planes, flying out of a base in Trapani in southern Italy, were previously operating in the Mediterrean for NATO counter-terrorism surveillance efforts. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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