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Libya Criticizes Aid Plan that Skirts Government

   VOA News  May 07, 2011

   Libya has sharply criticized an international plan to send millions of
   dollars in assistance to rebels and civilians.
   Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said Friday that Libya is "one
   sovereign state." He said the planned use of the funds amounted to
   "piracy on the high seas."
   On Thursday, the 22-nation Libya Contact Group agreed to set up a fund
   to help the Libyan opposition provide gasoline, food, medicine and
   military supplies in the areas under its control. The U.S. said it
   would move to free up a portion of the $30 billion in Libyan state
   assets frozen in the U.S. to help fund the effort.
   Meanwhile, the Amnesty International human rights group said Friday
   that forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi may have committed
   war crimes in the besieged city of Misrata.
   The group released a report saying Mr. Gadhafi's forces have
   "unlawfully" killed civilians in indiscriminate attacks using heavy
   artillery, rockets, cluster bombs and sniper fire.
   Amnesty researcher Donatella Rovera cited what she called "relentless"
   attacks on Misrata residents that have left hundreds dead.
   Also, France announced plans to expel 14 Libyan diplomats on Friday, a
   day after Britain ordered two Libyan officials to leave.
   The French foreign ministry says the diplomats, who back Mr. Gadhafi,
   have been declared "persona non grata." The ministry says they have
   been given up to 48 hours to leave France.

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

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References

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