The Libyan government have announced that more civilians have been killed in a third night of air and missile strikes. The attacks have come from coalition forces in an attempt to enforce a no-fly zone.
People in and around Col Gaddafi’s compound in the capital, Tripoli have reported explosions and anti-aircraft fire was heard last night.
Despite the declaration of a ceasefire by the government, conflict between Gaddafi’s men and the rebels rages on in and around Libya.
Conflict in the east saw troops battling against a rebel advance outside the town of Ajdabiya. Also, in Libya’s third city, Misrata, rebels have reported that they came under attack from Col Gaddafi’s forces during the day.
President Barack Obama has announced that the US would transfer its leading role on Libya “within days” in a bid to ensure that the burden of the enforced no-fly zone was shared between coalition forces.
So far there has been no evidence of destruction apart from the missile attack on Gaddafi’s own compound on Sunday night.
The Libyan government have said that there is proof that the recent air strikes had nothing to do with protecting civilians as the west have claimed.
A spokesman for the government have insisted that many civilians have been killed and wounded in the air strikes and that they are struggling to cope as the hospitals are “filling up.” However, so far the government have not showed any evidence that civilians have been affected in the conflict.
Reports of more coalition attacks in Libya are coming in thick and fast from Libyan government spokesmen and witnesses. On Monday it was reported that the southern town of Sebha had been targeted as well as a “little fishing port” near Tripoli.
Reports of a Libyan naval base at Bussetta about 10km east of Tripoli being heavily hit have also surfaced.
Further reports of bombing of the town of Zintan, near the Tunisian border by Gaddafi’s forces could not be independently verified at this point.
References:
Third night of fighting in the capital
Crisis in Libya
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