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Libyan Rebels Accuse NATO of Failing to Carry out Airstrikes

   VOA News  April 06, 2011
   Libyan rebels retreat followed by incoming shells fired by pro-Gadhafi
   forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, April 5, 2011

Photo: AP

   Libyan rebels retreat followed by incoming shells fired by pro-Gadhafi
   forces along the front line near Brega, Libya, April 5, 2011

   The head of Libya's rebels forces has criticized NATO for failing to
   quickly carry out airstrikes in the western city of Misrata, saying the
   delay was causing civilian deaths.
   Abdel Fattah Younes said NATO was moving very slowly, allowing forces
   loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to advance. He said he may urge
   rebel leaders to take opposition grievances to the United Nations
   Security Council, which authorized force in Libya to stop government
   troops from harming civilians.
   NATO officials say air power over Libya is undiminished but that
   Gadhafi has been using civilians as human shields and hiding his armor
   in populated areas.
   Brigadier General Mark van Uhm, chief of allied operations, said that
   in Misrata, the alliance has "absolute confirmation" that tanks are
   being dispersed and humans used as shields "in order to prevent NATO
   sorties to identify and target those assets."
   Rebel officials disputed Van Uhm's claim that civilians are present in
   all areas where pro-Gadhafi forces are positioned.
   NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said Tuesday that "the pace of
   operations since NATO took over has not abated." The alliance reported
   that coalition airstrikes have destroyed 30 percent of Libya's military
   while enforcing the U.N.-authorized no-fly zone aimed at protecting
   civilians.
   The rebels accusations came as forces loyal to Gadhafi forced them into
   their biggest retreat in several days during fighting near the key
   eastern oil town of Brega.
   Both sides exchanged heavy fire on Tuesday, one day after rebels had
   taken over a residential part of the city.
   U.S. envoy Chris Stevens met with members of the opposition
   Transitional National Council Tuesday in Benghazi to better understand
   who the rebels are and what they need. Qatar, France and Italy have
   already granted official recognition to the rebel administration.
   Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue. Libyan
   envoy Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi ended a shuttle mission to Greece, Malta and
   Turkey after setting out Libya's official position. The government said
   Tuesday that Obeidi has been appointed to replace Moussa Koussa as
   foreign minister after the close Gadhafi ally defected to Britain.
   Both rebel and Western leaders say they will not accept any deal that
   allows Gadhafi or his sons to stay in power.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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