Gaddafi Continues 'Deadly' Civilian Strikes

5:06pm UK, Friday March 25, 2011

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi's ability to use weapons against his people is "diminishing daily" thanks to strikes by coalition forces, the Ministry of Defence has said.

But MoD spokesman Major General John Lorimer said it was clear that despite "heavy losses" by his forces by coalition operations, Col Gaddafi was continuing to mount "deadly and indiscriminate attacks" on civilians.
"But it is equally clear that our operations have saved many innocent lives already and we are confident that they will continue to do so," he added in his latest briefing on the conflict.
Nato has agreed to take over enforcement of the no-fly zone over the country as Western warplanes continue to bombard targets inside Libya.

MOD: GADDAFI CONTINUES TO ATTACK HIS OWN PEOPLE


The military alliance said that it had planned for the UN-mandated mission to last three months and involve dozens of aircraft from the 28-nation bloc.
However, Nato is still to decide whether it will broaden its role to take full command of all military operations, including airstrikes to protect civilians on the ground.
It has been confirmed a Canadian general - Lt Gen Charles Bouchard - will take over command of the Nato mission.
British Tornado GR4 aircraft took part in the latest co-ordinated missile strike against Col Gaddafi's forces.
"The Tornado aircraft launched a number of guided Brimstone missiles at Libyan armoured vehicles which were threatening the civilian population of Ajdabiyah," Defence Minister Liam Fox said in a statement.
Sky's security editor Sam Kiley
The rebels have been battling pro-Gaddafi forces on the outskirts Ajdabiyah for days but have made little progress in retaking the area.
Sky's Sam Kiley, outside Ajdabiyah, said: "Gaddafi has three tanks, we believe, dug into a position behind me. He's also got two Stalin's Organs - those are the multiple rocket launchers, a very devastating weapon mounted on the back of big truck that can fire 30 or 40 rockets at one time.
"So clearly they are not too troubled by these airstrikes otherwise these weapons would have been hidden away under tarpaulins so that they're not vulnerable."
Other airstrikes destroyed government tanks on the outskirts of rebel-held Misratah, but tanks inside the city escaped the bombardment.
Residents and rebels said government snipers were also still active in the area.
"The situation is very serious," a doctor in the town said. More than 100 people are reported to have been killed and hundreds wounded over the past week.

MORE ALLIED STRIKES ON COLONEL GADDAFI'S FORCES


Sky correspondent Lisa Holland, reporting from Tripoli under Libyan government supervision, said: "People (in Misratah) now are holed up in their homes, there is a growing concern about the situation.
"Officials here are denying that the water supplies have been cut off to Misratah. In fact, they are painting themselves as heroes going back in and sorting it all out.
"The government is saying there is no fighting going on. That is contrary to the sights and sounds we're hearing and the images posted on YouTube and so forth from inside Misratah."
Residents of the western city said around 6,000 workers and family members from Egypt and other African countries were stuck in the port, under the eye of two Libyan warships.
A protester in Benghazi
Residents of Benghazi have shown their gratitude for French airstrikes
"They've attacked us from west of Misratah's pier, near Izreik lighthouse, civilians are under attack. Six children have died and many families are injured, a whole building was bombed, two buildings actually," a witness called Hamza told Sky News from the city.
"There are two military ships maybe, now they're close to me now and four smaller ships carrying soldiers, they might attack us by nightfall."
Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the 28 member nations had agreed to act in order to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by pro-Gaddafi forces.
He said the Nato operation would proceed in parallel with the bombing campaign carried out by coalition aircraft.

HAGUE: NATO WILL PROTECT LIBYAN CIVILIANS


"At this moment there will still be a coalition operation and a Nato operation," Mr Fogh Rasmussen said.
"But we are considering whether Nato should take on that broader responsibility in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, but that decision has not been made yet."
Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News: "I think that the other aspects of this operation, protecting the civilian population will also be conducted by Nato.
"We would like there to be one unified command and there is every expectation that will now happen ... I think within a matter of days Nato will be able to take over the command."

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON


Sky reporter Hannah Thomas-Peter in New York said: "There are plenty of details to be worked out.
"It is not clear to what extent Nato will take responsibility for the most difficult controversial element of the resolution, which is the possibility of ground attacks in order to protect Libyan civilians.
"There will be lots of meetings over the coming days to make sure that is absolutely clear, but the US is happy to be handing over responsibility for at least one element of the resolution to the Nato military alliance."
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said the US was taking the next step in military operations against Libya by transferring command and control of the no-fly zone to Nato.
She also praised the United Arab Emirates for becoming the second Arab country after Qatar to send planes to help the mission.

The Nato decision comes after six days of negotiations and a breakthrough when Turkey, the alliance's only Muslim member, agreed to back the plan.
Turkey's parliament has now approved the country's involvement in the operation.
The country had previously said it did not want Nato to take responsibility for offensive operations that could cause civilian casualties.
Sky correspondent Alex Rossi, in Brussels where European Union leaders are meeting to discuss the situation in Libya, said: "My understanding is that it will take 24 to 48 hours (for Nato to take over command).
"But reaching this negotiation has been extremely fractious and there have been big fallings out in the European family."
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