NATO bombed civilians, says Libya
Source: Agencies |
June 20, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
THE Libyan government accused NATO of bombing a residential neighborhood in Tripoli and killing civilians yesterday, adding to its charges that the alliance is striking nonmilitary targets. At least nine people, including two children, were reported killed.
NATO said it was investigating the claim. The alliance has repeatedly insisted it tries to avoid killing civilians.
Shortly after the airstrikes yesterday, journalists based in the Libyan capital were rushed by government officials to the destroyed building. Children's toys, teacups and dust-covered mattresses could be seen amid the rubble.
Foreign Minister Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi told reporters nine civilians, including two children, were killed in the explosion and said 18 people were wounded.
He said the strike was a "deliberate attack on a civilian neighborhood," and follows other alleged targeting of nonmilitary targets such as a hotel, oxygen factory and civilian vehicles.
"The deliberate bombing ... is a direct call for all free peoples of the world and for all Muslims to initiate a global jihad against the oppressive, criminal West and never to allow such criminal organizations as NATO to decide the future of other independent and sovereign nations," al-Obeidi said.
Libya's Health Ministry says 856 civilians have been killed in NATO airstrikes since they began in March.
NATO acknowledged its planes hit targets in Tripoli and said it was investigating whether it was responsible for the strike on the house.
"NATO confirms that it was operating in Tripoli last night, conducting airstrikes against a legitimate military target," Wing commander Mike Bracken said yesterday. He said the alliance was looking into the reports.
"NATO deeply regrets any civilian loss of life during this operation and would be very sorry if the review of this incident concluded it to be a NATO weapon," Bracken said.
The alliance appeared to strike the capital again yesterday afternoon. A number of explosions could be heard in the city, and smoke rose over the southern part of the capital.
While NATO warplanes have stepped up their campaign against Moammar Gadhafi's government over the past week, fighting has intensified between rebels and government troops outside the port city of Misrata, the main rebel stronghold in western Libya.
For weeks, the rebels have been bottled up in the city, some 200 kilometers east of Tripoli.
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