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Air strikes go on over Libya, NATO in command
Source: Xinhua |
March 28, 2011, Monday
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THE Western-led coalition forces yesterday continued their air strikes on Libyan government forces after NATO decided to take full command of the Libya air campaign, as rebels reportedly retook control of a key oil exporting terminal.
Explosions were heard in the capital and both civilian and military targets were hit by the "colonialist aggressors," Libya's state TV reported.
Explosions occurred near the Gaser Ben Ghasher region, some 30 km south of the capital and plumes of heavy smoke and flames were seen rising from the area. A road leading to the international airport and a neighborhood in Tripoli reportedly were among the areas hit by the coalition forces.
Libya's state TV also said Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte city was also struck by the coalition forces last night.
The city was under attack by Western warplanes Saturday night and many targets were destroyed.
French media reported that French fighter jets yesterday launched attacks on Libyan armored vehicles and a military arsenal in Misrata and Zintan regions.
So far, at least 114 Libyans have been killed and 445 others wounded since the air strikes began on March 19, according to Libyan health authorities.
Earlier yesterday, Libyan rebels reportedly recaptured the major oil exporting terminal of Ras Lanuf and the town of Bin Jawad, 525 km east of Tripoli.
The fall of the towns came after rebels have reportedly routed government forces in the cities of Uqalya, Ajdabiya and Brega in east Libya.
Ambassadors from 28 NATO member countries held a special meeting in Brussels yesterday and decided to implement all aspects of the UN resolution on Libya, paving the way for NATO to take over full command of the military operation against Libya from the United States.
"NATO allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council resolution," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced after the meeting.
"Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack ... NATO will implement all aspects of the UN resolution. Nothing more, nothing less," the NATO chief said, adding NATO's operations will be implemented "with immediate effect."
"This is a very significant step, which proves NATO's capability to take decisive action," Rasmussen stressed.
The air raids against Libyan forces approved by NATO have broadened the alliance's previous role of enforcing the no-fly zone and arms embargo.
However, while disputes over the military command structure involving France, the United States, Britain and Turkey are about to come to an end, the question as to who will lead politically remains elusive.
Britain will host an international conference on Libya in London on Tuesday, which is expected to set "the wide political guidance" for the military operation as NATO takes the full military command.
Italian daily La Repubblica reported yesterday that Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy and Germany were ready to launch a roadmap for a peace-building process in Libya.
The plan envisages an immediate cease-fire to be monitored by the United Nations, a permanent "humanitarian corridor" running through Turkey to ensure aid to refugees and involvement of all tribal groups in the drafting of Libya's constitution.
The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening the role of the Arab League and the African Union in Libya's nation-building phase, noting the Italy-Germany document's ultimate goal was to consolidate a common European Union (EU) position with regard to the Libyan crisis and ease differences among member states.
Frattini stressed that Italy wanted all military interventions in Libya under one single command, and said the country was against the so-called "coalition of the willing" sponsored by France.
Explosions were heard in the capital and both civilian and military targets were hit by the "colonialist aggressors," Libya's state TV reported.
Explosions occurred near the Gaser Ben Ghasher region, some 30 km south of the capital and plumes of heavy smoke and flames were seen rising from the area. A road leading to the international airport and a neighborhood in Tripoli reportedly were among the areas hit by the coalition forces.
Libya's state TV also said Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte city was also struck by the coalition forces last night.
The city was under attack by Western warplanes Saturday night and many targets were destroyed.
French media reported that French fighter jets yesterday launched attacks on Libyan armored vehicles and a military arsenal in Misrata and Zintan regions.
So far, at least 114 Libyans have been killed and 445 others wounded since the air strikes began on March 19, according to Libyan health authorities.
Earlier yesterday, Libyan rebels reportedly recaptured the major oil exporting terminal of Ras Lanuf and the town of Bin Jawad, 525 km east of Tripoli.
The fall of the towns came after rebels have reportedly routed government forces in the cities of Uqalya, Ajdabiya and Brega in east Libya.
Ambassadors from 28 NATO member countries held a special meeting in Brussels yesterday and decided to implement all aspects of the UN resolution on Libya, paving the way for NATO to take over full command of the military operation against Libya from the United States.
"NATO allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council resolution," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced after the meeting.
"Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack ... NATO will implement all aspects of the UN resolution. Nothing more, nothing less," the NATO chief said, adding NATO's operations will be implemented "with immediate effect."
"This is a very significant step, which proves NATO's capability to take decisive action," Rasmussen stressed.
The air raids against Libyan forces approved by NATO have broadened the alliance's previous role of enforcing the no-fly zone and arms embargo.
However, while disputes over the military command structure involving France, the United States, Britain and Turkey are about to come to an end, the question as to who will lead politically remains elusive.
Britain will host an international conference on Libya in London on Tuesday, which is expected to set "the wide political guidance" for the military operation as NATO takes the full military command.
Italian daily La Repubblica reported yesterday that Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy and Germany were ready to launch a roadmap for a peace-building process in Libya.
The plan envisages an immediate cease-fire to be monitored by the United Nations, a permanent "humanitarian corridor" running through Turkey to ensure aid to refugees and involvement of all tribal groups in the drafting of Libya's constitution.
The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening the role of the Arab League and the African Union in Libya's nation-building phase, noting the Italy-Germany document's ultimate goal was to consolidate a common European Union (EU) position with regard to the Libyan crisis and ease differences among member states.
Frattini stressed that Italy wanted all military interventions in Libya under one single command, and said the country was against the so-called "coalition of the willing" sponsored by France.
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