At about the half way stage Libya was (in my opinion, and yes - I was there) about to become a demonstration of the limitations of air. Operating above the threat, and without a land component, the FW masters had done a great job, but hadn't brought the dictator to book. Neither had the naval blockade.
Something had to be done, primarily to get the anti-Ghad moving by attacking specific target sets and by adding an unquantifiable psychological factor to the campaign. Cue integration of sea based AH into the air plan by France and UK.
In my opinion air power enthuisiasts owe the AH (or rather the integration of AH into the air campaign) a larger vote of thanks than most realise.
Of course, we are all sound military types, have operated FW/RW in Afghanistan for years now, are not given to bitching and all know it's a team game with each playing their own (little) part. The team did very well.