Sunday, June 26, 2011

AU Panel Discusses Libya Peace, Aid Efforts

NATO says hit military targets in Libya's Brega

<p>Libyan men are reflected in a mirror as they inspect the damage at a house that was struck by a rocket fired by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi this week, in the centre of the rebel-held city of Misrata June 22, 2011. An uptick in rocket attacks has coincided with battlefield setbacks to the west of the city, where the rebellion is haemorrhaging fighters as they try in vain to advance along the coast towards the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Nerves have been rattled, and Misrata -- scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of Libya's four-month-old war -- is beginning to lay blame. Picture taken June 22, 2011. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (LIBYA - Tags: CONFLICT)</p>TRIPOLI (Reuters) - NATO said on Saturday its missiles had hit a site in Libya used by Muammar Gaddafi's forces to stockpile military supplies and vehicles, while Gaddafi's state media said 15 civilians had been killed.
A top rebel official said rebels would be ready to discuss any political settlement that did not involve Gaddafi remaining in power, although no proposals had emerged yet at talks with Gaddafi allies that were taking place through intermediaries.
The attack late on Friday was the second within hours on what NATO said were clearly identified military targets in the coastal city of Brega, around 200 km (130 miles) west of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
Libyan state television said a local bakery and a restaurant had been hit, wounding 20 people in addition to the 15 dead. State news agency Jana said a strike in the same area earlier on Friday had killed five civilians.
"We have no indications of any civilian casualties in connection to these strikes," a NATO official said.
"What we know is that the buildings we hit were occupied and used by pro-Gaddafi forces to direct attacks against civilians around Ajdabiya," the official said. Ajdabiya is rebel-held.
"Unlike the pro-Gaddafi forces, we go to great lengths to reduce the possibility of any civilian casualties," the official adde.read more.

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