Naples:
Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi escaped a NATO missile strike in Tripoli on Saturday, but his youngest son and three grandchildren under the age of 12 were killed, a government spokesman said.
The strike, which came hours after Gaddafi called for a cease-fire and negotiations in what rebels called a publicity stunt, marked an escalation of international efforts to prevent the Libyan regime from regaining momentum.
NATO released a statement regarding the same. Here is the complete statement:
NATO continued its precision strikes against Qadhafi regime military installations in Tripoli overnight, including striking a known command and control building in the Bab al-Azizya neighbourhood shortly after 1800 GMT Saturday evening.
"All NATO's targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the Qadhafi regime's systematic attacks on the Libyan population and populated areas. We do not target individuals," said Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, Commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector.
The strike was part of NATO's coherent strategy to disrupt and destroy the command and control of those forces which have been attacking civilians.
"I am aware of unconfirmed media reports that some of Qadhafi's family members may have been killed," Lieutenant-General Bouchard said. "We regret all loss of life, especially the innocent civilians being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict. NATO is fulfilling its UN mandate to stop and prevent attacks against civilians with precision and care - unlike Qadhafi's forces, which are causing so much suffering."
The strike, which came hours after Gaddafi called for a cease-fire and negotiations in what rebels called a publicity stunt, marked an escalation of international efforts to prevent the Libyan regime from regaining momentum.
NATO released a statement regarding the same. Here is the complete statement:
NATO continued its precision strikes against Qadhafi regime military installations in Tripoli overnight, including striking a known command and control building in the Bab al-Azizya neighbourhood shortly after 1800 GMT Saturday evening.
"All NATO's targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the Qadhafi regime's systematic attacks on the Libyan population and populated areas. We do not target individuals," said Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, Commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector.
The strike was part of NATO's coherent strategy to disrupt and destroy the command and control of those forces which have been attacking civilians.
"I am aware of unconfirmed media reports that some of Qadhafi's family members may have been killed," Lieutenant-General Bouchard said. "We regret all loss of life, especially the innocent civilians being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict. NATO is fulfilling its UN mandate to stop and prevent attacks against civilians with precision and care - unlike Qadhafi's forces, which are causing so much suffering."
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