Britain's contribution to efforts by coalition forces to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya is being stepped up.

The operation to move British aircraft to a base in southern Italy ready for missions is nearly complete, after the arrival of about a dozen planes.

RAF Typhoon fighters have taken part in their first mission to patrol the zone.

Meanwhile, amid a third night of missile strikes, a government motion to support action in Libya won a majority of 544 votes in the House of Commons.

The debate focused on Resolution 1973, which passed by the United Nations Security Council last week.

This authorises "all necessary measures", short of bringing in an occupying force, to protect Libyan citizens from the Gaddafi regime, which has been fighting rebel forces.

The Commons motion - which was backed by 557 MPs and opposed by 13 - followed continued US-led action in Libya, with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's sprawling Bab al-Aziziya complex, in the capital Tripoli, among the locations hit.

Libya's government has said more civilians have been killed in a third night of air and missile strikes by coalition forces.

Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told a news conference Monday's air and missile strikes had caused "numerous" civilian casualties, especially at the "civilian airport" in Sirte.

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