Libya conflict: Gaddafi accuses NATO of murder

Libya conflict: Gaddafi accuses NATO of murder

Libya’s leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has accused NATO states of murder, two days after members of the family of his close aide were killed in an air strike.

In a statement, Gaddafi described those who carried out the bombardment as "criminals" and "barbarians".

NATO has said it regrets any civilian deaths, but that the targeted residence was a "command and control centre."

Legitimate military attack

However, NATO’s Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said the alliance's air campaign was protecting civilians and would continue.

He made it known that NATO was investigating Libyan reports that seven people had been killed in an air strike last week, but stressed that it was Col Gaddafi's forces, not NATO, who were targeting civilians.

NATO said the attack was on a legitimate military target, as the house was a command centre.

Call for investigations

Defiant Col Gaddafi had, in a latest audio message, said that Libyans would fight "foreign barbarians" and "crusaders" to the death.

Gaddafi said: “I have my back to the wall, but the battle would continue to the beyond, until you are wiped out."

Gaddafi dwelt on the Nato air strike that destroyed the house of his close ally and adviser, al-Khuwailidi al-Humaidi, in Sorman on Monday.

Gaddafi referred to Nato's statement that its surveillance had provided conclusive proof.

“If the intelligence had been so good,” he said, surely Nato would have known that children were living there.

"You said: 'We hit our targets with precision. You murderers! One day we will respond to you likewise and your homes, sons and children may become one day legitimate targets," he said.

He called on the UN Security Council other than "the three criminals" - the US, UK and France - to send a mission to investigate the deaths of civilians in air strikes.

Among the dead, who were buried a few hours before the speech, were three of Mr Humaidi's grandchildren and his daughter-in-law.

Dramatic errors

Italy's Foreign Minister, Francisco Frattini had called for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Francisco Frattini said a ceasefire was necessary to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to the war-torn country.

He also urged NATO to provide more details of its aerial campaign and precise guidelines on "dramatic errors involving civilians".

NATO’s mission

NATO'S mission which was to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya in order to protect civilians using "all necessary measures" short of a ground invasion began in March in response to Col Gaddafi's violent response to an uprising.

The intervention was mandated by the UN Security Council, and led by France, Britain and the US until the end of March, when NATO took over.

The mission, which initial 90 days engagement would have run out on June 27, has been extended for a further 90 days.

BBC/Shakira/Williams