Renewed NATO air strikes rock Tripoli while Gaddafi nearing his end !

NATO war planes are continuing to bombard the Libyan capital Tripoli, with large explosions echoing over the city.  (Photo; Bombed area in Tripoli)

At least three strikes in the early hours of Friday sent plumes of smoke over Tripoli, and the direction of the strikes suggested that either the compound of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's embattled leader, or nearby military barracks were shelled.

After the strikes, pro-Gaddafi supporters fired assault rifles into the air and beeped their car horns in defiance.

The night strikes followed a total of 14 air attacks that were carried out on Thursday, considerably fewer than the heavy bombardment on Tuesday that flattened major buildings in Gaddafi's compound in the centre of the city.

The continued air raids came as Gaddafi forces renewed their shelling near the opposition-held western city of Misurata on Wednesday, killing at least 12  freedom figters.

In Brussels, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary-general, said the shelling near Misurata underscored the continued need to protect civilians.

"It is an example that the Gaddafi regime still constitutes a threat to the civilian population,'' he said. "We will stay committed as long as necessary."

'Gaddafi's days numbered'

The airs raids also came as Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, declared on Thursday that Gaddafi's days as leader of Libya were numbered.

"Gaddafi's days are numbered. We are working with our international partners through the UN to plan for the inevitable: a post-Gaddafi Libya," Clinton said at the International Contact Group [ICG] meeting on Libya in Abu Dhabi.

Clinton also said talks were under way with people close to the Libyan leader and that there was "the potential" for a transition of power in Libya.

"There have been numerous and continuing discussions by people close to Gaddafi and we are aware that those discussions include, among other matters, the potential for a transition," she said.

She gave no further details on the talks, other than to say "there is not any clear way forward yet".

Financial pledge

As the battle for control of Libya raged, donors at the ICG meeting pledged more than $1.3bn to help support the National Transitional Council (NTC), the main body representing the Libyan rebels fighting against Gaddafi.

Italy and France offered a combined $1.02bn while Kuwait and Qatar promised a combined $280m to a fund set up to provide transparent assistance to the opposition.

Turkey has established a $100m fund to support the Libyan opposition government based in Benghazi, Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, said.

Clinton said "we are ready for the establishment of financial mechanism for the money to flow to the National Transitional Council".

The US secretary of state said while Washington would boost its humanitarian aid to all Libyans by $26.5m, it was not offering any direct aid to the NTC. This was despite Clinton acknowledging that the council "faces a serious budget shortfall'' and "needs our immediate financial assistance".

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We understand the NTC's frustration but again the international community isn't going to let the NTC go under."

Washington said on Wednesday that the first shipment of Libyan oil sold by the council had been delivered to a US refinery and Clinton encouraged other nations to make similar purchases to help the Libyan people.

The Benghazi-based  freedom figters leadership has said it hopes to restart production of up to 100,000 barrels a day soon, without specifying a timeframe.

Shortage of funds

Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham, who defected from Gaddafi's government while he was the Libyan ambassador to the UN, said the  freedom figters needs $3bn to cover salaries and food costs for the next four months.

The total amount pledged at the ICG summit, while significant, fell way short of the fund needed. The  freedom figters say that Gaddafi's assets frozen abroad, which are reportedly worth $160bn, should be made available to them.

Ali Tarhouni, the opposition finance minister, urged nations to allow the council to use the funds as collateral for loans.

"Our people are dying," he said.

"It's been almost four months now and nothing has materialised so far. Our message to our friends is that I hope that they walk the walk."

The number of countries recognising the freedom figters council is growing by each day. A day after Spain recognised the NTC, Australia said the  freedom figters  government was legitimate.

Renewed NATO air strikes rock Tripoli while Gaddafi nearing his end !

NATO war planes are continuing to bombard the Libyan capital Tripoli, with large explosions echoing over the city.  (Photo; Bombed area in Tripoli)

At least three strikes in the early hours of Friday sent plumes of smoke over Tripoli, and the direction of the strikes suggested that either the compound of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's embattled leader, or nearby military barracks were shelled.

After the strikes, pro-Gaddafi supporters fired assault rifles into the air and beeped their car horns in defiance.

The night strikes followed a total of 14 air attacks that were carried out on Thursday, considerably fewer than the heavy bombardment on Tuesday that flattened major buildings in Gaddafi's compound in the centre of the city.

The continued air raids came as Gaddafi forces renewed their shelling near the opposition-held western city of Misurata on Wednesday, killing at least 12  freedom figters.

In Brussels, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO secretary-general, said the shelling near Misurata underscored the continued need to protect civilians.

"It is an example that the Gaddafi regime still constitutes a threat to the civilian population,'' he said. "We will stay committed as long as necessary."

'Gaddafi's days numbered'

The airs raids also came as Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, declared on Thursday that Gaddafi's days as leader of Libya were numbered.

"Gaddafi's days are numbered. We are working with our international partners through the UN to plan for the inevitable: a post-Gaddafi Libya," Clinton said at the International Contact Group [ICG] meeting on Libya in Abu Dhabi.

Clinton also said talks were under way with people close to the Libyan leader and that there was "the potential" for a transition of power in Libya.

"There have been numerous and continuing discussions by people close to Gaddafi and we are aware that those discussions include, among other matters, the potential for a transition," she said.

She gave no further details on the talks, other than to say "there is not any clear way forward yet".

Financial pledge

As the battle for control of Libya raged, donors at the ICG meeting pledged more than $1.3bn to help support the National Transitional Council (NTC), the main body representing the Libyan rebels fighting against Gaddafi.

Italy and France offered a combined $1.02bn while Kuwait and Qatar promised a combined $280m to a fund set up to provide transparent assistance to the opposition.

Turkey has established a $100m fund to support the Libyan opposition government based in Benghazi, Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, said.

Clinton said "we are ready for the establishment of financial mechanism for the money to flow to the National Transitional Council".

The US secretary of state said while Washington would boost its humanitarian aid to all Libyans by $26.5m, it was not offering any direct aid to the NTC. This was despite Clinton acknowledging that the council "faces a serious budget shortfall'' and "needs our immediate financial assistance".

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We understand the NTC's frustration but again the international community isn't going to let the NTC go under."

Washington said on Wednesday that the first shipment of Libyan oil sold by the council had been delivered to a US refinery and Clinton encouraged other nations to make similar purchases to help the Libyan people.

The Benghazi-based  freedom figters leadership has said it hopes to restart production of up to 100,000 barrels a day soon, without specifying a timeframe.

Shortage of funds

Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham, who defected from Gaddafi's government while he was the Libyan ambassador to the UN, said the  freedom figters needs $3bn to cover salaries and food costs for the next four months.

The total amount pledged at the ICG summit, while significant, fell way short of the fund needed. The  freedom figters say that Gaddafi's assets frozen abroad, which are reportedly worth $160bn, should be made available to them.

Ali Tarhouni, the opposition finance minister, urged nations to allow the council to use the funds as collateral for loans.

"Our people are dying," he said.

"It's been almost four months now and nothing has materialised so far. Our message to our friends is that I hope that they walk the walk."

The number of countries recognising the freedom figters council is growing by each day. A day after Spain recognised the NTC, Australia said the  freedom figters  government was legitimate.

Dictator Gaddafi lost control of Yafran while Freedom Fighters Gain Land !

Reports say Libyan Freedom Fighters have entered the northwestern town of Yafran, previously held by regime forces, as the NATO chief says he is confident that people across Libya can start preparing for a future without Dictator Muammar Gaddafi, the country's long-time ruler whi si being charged of war crimes as well.



Youssef Boudlal, a Reuters photographer in Yafran, on Monday said the town had been wrested by the freedom fighters.

"We are inside the town ... There is no sign of any Gaddafi forces. I can see the Freedom Fighters flags ... We have seen posters and photos of Gaddafi that have been destroyed," Boudlal said.

"We do not have details of what provided this breakthrough ... this is a town that has been held by Gaddafi forces since the start of the fighting," he said.

"But what we saw this morning was Freedom Fighters rolling into a town just 100 miles from the capital, really on the doorstep of Gaddafi.

"What propelled this to happen, we still don't know. But what we do know is that the clock certainly seems to be ticking on Gaddafi. This is really the first challenge to the city of Tripoli that we have seen in about four months."

The Freedom Fighters advance came amid intense fighting between forces loyal to Gaddafi and Freedom Fighters seeking to end his more than four-decade-long rule.

It also came as Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's secretary-general, said damaging or destroying of 1,800 military targets so far in Libya has degraded Gaddafi's power to the extent that he will certainly be forced from power.

"We have made considerable progress," he said before a meeting of NATO defence ministers due to take place in Brussels.

"We have taken the momentum, we have turned the tide of terror unleashed by the Gaddafi regime, we have saved countless lives and we have seriously degraded the ability of the Gaddafi regime to attack civilians."

Dictator Gaddafi lost control of Yafran while Freedom Fighters Gain Land !

Reports say Libyan Freedom Fighters have entered the northwestern town of Yafran, previously held by regime forces, as the NATO chief says he is confident that people across Libya can start preparing for a future without Dictator Muammar Gaddafi, the country's long-time ruler whi si being charged of war crimes as well.



Youssef Boudlal, a Reuters photographer in Yafran, on Monday said the town had been wrested by the freedom fighters.

"We are inside the town ... There is no sign of any Gaddafi forces. I can see the Freedom Fighters flags ... We have seen posters and photos of Gaddafi that have been destroyed," Boudlal said.

"We do not have details of what provided this breakthrough ... this is a town that has been held by Gaddafi forces since the start of the fighting," he said.

"But what we saw this morning was Freedom Fighters rolling into a town just 100 miles from the capital, really on the doorstep of Gaddafi.

"What propelled this to happen, we still don't know. But what we do know is that the clock certainly seems to be ticking on Gaddafi. This is really the first challenge to the city of Tripoli that we have seen in about four months."

The Freedom Fighters advance came amid intense fighting between forces loyal to Gaddafi and Freedom Fighters seeking to end his more than four-decade-long rule.

It also came as Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's secretary-general, said damaging or destroying of 1,800 military targets so far in Libya has degraded Gaddafi's power to the extent that he will certainly be forced from power.

"We have made considerable progress," he said before a meeting of NATO defence ministers due to take place in Brussels.

"We have taken the momentum, we have turned the tide of terror unleashed by the Gaddafi regime, we have saved countless lives and we have seriously degraded the ability of the Gaddafi regime to attack civilians."

NATO says Dictator Gaddafi forces 'significantly degraded'

The head of the NATO military alliance has said that military and political pressure have weakened Dictator Muammar Gaddafi's hold on power in Libya and will eventually topple him.

"We have significantly degraded Gaddafi's war machine. And now we see results, the opposition has gained ground," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a news conference in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, on Thursday.

"I am confident that combination of strong military pressure and increased political pressure and support for the opposition will eventually lead to the collapse of the regime."

Rasmussen’s comments were echoed by US President Barack Obama.

"Time is working against Gaddafi. He does not have control over his country. The opposition has organised a legitimate and credible Interim Council," Obama said in Washington.

"When Gaddafi inevitably leaves or is forced from power, decades of provocation will come to an end and the transition to a democratic Libya can proceed," he said, defending his decision to take military action against the Libyan leader's anti democratic regime.

NATO says Dictator Gaddafi forces 'significantly degraded'

The head of the NATO military alliance has said that military and political pressure have weakened Dictator Muammar Gaddafi's hold on power in Libya and will eventually topple him.

"We have significantly degraded Gaddafi's war machine. And now we see results, the opposition has gained ground," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a news conference in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, on Thursday.

"I am confident that combination of strong military pressure and increased political pressure and support for the opposition will eventually lead to the collapse of the regime."

Rasmussen’s comments were echoed by US President Barack Obama.

"Time is working against Gaddafi. He does not have control over his country. The opposition has organised a legitimate and credible Interim Council," Obama said in Washington.

"When Gaddafi inevitably leaves or is forced from power, decades of provocation will come to an end and the transition to a democratic Libya can proceed," he said, defending his decision to take military action against the Libyan leader's anti democratic regime.

Full recognition of the National Transitional Council (of pro democracy figters) is yet to be done but says it is a legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people

The United States has stopped short of full diplomatic recognition of Libya's pro democracy council but the White House has said the council is a "legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people".

(Photo ; Libyan Freedom figters held mass demonstrations after midday prayers in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi on Friday)


Mahmoud Jibril, who serves as the foreign minister of the rebels' National Transitional Council (NTC), met the Tom Donilon, the US president's national security advisor, at the White House on Friday.

"During the meeting, Mr Donilon stated that the United States views the [NTC] as a legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people," the White House said in a statement released after the meeting.



"In contrast, Mr Donilon stressed that [Libyan leader Muammar] Gaddafi has lost his legitimacy to rule and reiterated [US] President [Barack] Obama's call for Gaddafi to leave immediately," it said.

Obama did not meet with the opposition leaders.

"Mr Donilon and Dr Jibril discussed how the United States and the coalition can provide additional support to the [NTC]. Mr Donilon applauded the [NTC's] commitment to an inclusive political transition and a democratic future for Libya," the statement concluded.

The recognition stops short of what the NTC had sought. In an op-ed published in the New York Times ahead of his meetings in Washington, Jibril had written that the NTC was seeking to be recognised as the "sole" legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

The White House, however, has signaled that such a move would be premature.

"I don't anticipate action like that," Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, said.

Meanwhile, the US has stepped up its financial support of the anti-Gaddafi rebels, with Obama authorising $25m in non-lethal assistance and $53m in humanitarian aid.

The White House said it was looking for ways to increase US financial support to the opposition, in part through congressional legislation that would free up a portion of the more than $30bn in frozen assets connected to the Gaddafi government in US banks, so that it could be used to aid the rebels.

"We believe that if we could access and use blocked government of Libya assets it could make a significant amount of money available to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people," Carney said.

The rebels have said they need up to $3bn in the coming months for military salaries, food, medicine and other supplies. They also say no country has sent the arms they need.

"If there is any country that is willing to arm us, we are happy to defend ourselves," Ali Tarhouni, the council's minister of finance and oil, said after a meeting at the State Department on Friday.

"This is a thug, a killer regime that took a peaceful movement and forced us to carry arms. It's legitimate that we have arms to defend ourselves."

Despite financially backing the opposition, the White House says questions about who exactly the rebels are and their long-term objectives are keeping the United States from recognising the council as the legitimate Libyan government.

"The question of recognition is one of many policy issues still under review," Carney said.

Friday's meetings come as a deadline nears on the 60-day window Obama has to keep the US military involved in the Libya campaign without congressional approval.

However, the White House said the United States and NATO will continue military operations in Libya as long as Muammar Gaddafi continues to attack his people.

The White House spokesman offered no specifics on how the US planned to do that, saying only that officials were, "in regular communications with Congress, and that will continue".


Administration officials have been eager to show signs of progress in the Libyan bombing campaign, first led by the US and now overseen by NATO.

Obama on Friday met privately with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO Secretary-General, in the Oval Office, and the White House said the two agreed that the military action would go on until Gaddafi's assault on civilians had stopped.

NATO has been intensifying airstrikes in several areas of Libya against Gaddafi's troops in a bid to weaken his campaign against the rebel uprising.

The Libyan leader, in an audio message broadcast on state television on Friday, said he had survived the assault.

Hours after Gaddafi's minute-long speech, the sound of four explosions, most likely a NATO strike, could be heard in Tripoli.

Government spokesman Ibrahim Uthman said the strikes targeted the country's Agriculture Ministry. The same building, however, was targeted days ago and, at the time, residents said it was a government intelligence building.

Shortly before Gaddafi's remarks were broadcast, regime spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claimed that a NATO airstrike in Brega had targeted a meeting of dozens of clerics and officials from around Libya, a claim NATO denies.

Ibrahim said 11 imams were killed in their sleep at a guesthouse, and 50 people were wounded, including five in critical condition.

The alliance, responding to the claim, said it had attacked a military command-and-control centre, and that it could "not independently confirm the validity" of claims of civilian casualties.

"We're very careful in the selection of our targets and this one was very clearly identified as a command center," said an official at NATO's operational headquarters in Naples, Italy, who spoke under the alliance's rules that he could not be named.

Full recognition of the National Transitional Council (of pro democracy figters) is yet to be done but says it is a legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people

The United States has stopped short of full diplomatic recognition of Libya's pro democracy council but the White House has said the council is a "legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people".

(Photo ; Libyan Freedom figters held mass demonstrations after midday prayers in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi on Friday)


Mahmoud Jibril, who serves as the foreign minister of the rebels' National Transitional Council (NTC), met the Tom Donilon, the US president's national security advisor, at the White House on Friday.

"During the meeting, Mr Donilon stated that the United States views the [NTC] as a legitimate and credible interlocutor of the Libyan people," the White House said in a statement released after the meeting.



"In contrast, Mr Donilon stressed that [Libyan leader Muammar] Gaddafi has lost his legitimacy to rule and reiterated [US] President [Barack] Obama's call for Gaddafi to leave immediately," it said.

Obama did not meet with the opposition leaders.

"Mr Donilon and Dr Jibril discussed how the United States and the coalition can provide additional support to the [NTC]. Mr Donilon applauded the [NTC's] commitment to an inclusive political transition and a democratic future for Libya," the statement concluded.

The recognition stops short of what the NTC had sought. In an op-ed published in the New York Times ahead of his meetings in Washington, Jibril had written that the NTC was seeking to be recognised as the "sole" legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

The White House, however, has signaled that such a move would be premature.

"I don't anticipate action like that," Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, said.

Meanwhile, the US has stepped up its financial support of the anti-Gaddafi rebels, with Obama authorising $25m in non-lethal assistance and $53m in humanitarian aid.

The White House said it was looking for ways to increase US financial support to the opposition, in part through congressional legislation that would free up a portion of the more than $30bn in frozen assets connected to the Gaddafi government in US banks, so that it could be used to aid the rebels.

"We believe that if we could access and use blocked government of Libya assets it could make a significant amount of money available to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people," Carney said.

The rebels have said they need up to $3bn in the coming months for military salaries, food, medicine and other supplies. They also say no country has sent the arms they need.

"If there is any country that is willing to arm us, we are happy to defend ourselves," Ali Tarhouni, the council's minister of finance and oil, said after a meeting at the State Department on Friday.

"This is a thug, a killer regime that took a peaceful movement and forced us to carry arms. It's legitimate that we have arms to defend ourselves."

Despite financially backing the opposition, the White House says questions about who exactly the rebels are and their long-term objectives are keeping the United States from recognising the council as the legitimate Libyan government.

"The question of recognition is one of many policy issues still under review," Carney said.

Friday's meetings come as a deadline nears on the 60-day window Obama has to keep the US military involved in the Libya campaign without congressional approval.

However, the White House said the United States and NATO will continue military operations in Libya as long as Muammar Gaddafi continues to attack his people.

The White House spokesman offered no specifics on how the US planned to do that, saying only that officials were, "in regular communications with Congress, and that will continue".


Administration officials have been eager to show signs of progress in the Libyan bombing campaign, first led by the US and now overseen by NATO.

Obama on Friday met privately with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the NATO Secretary-General, in the Oval Office, and the White House said the two agreed that the military action would go on until Gaddafi's assault on civilians had stopped.

NATO has been intensifying airstrikes in several areas of Libya against Gaddafi's troops in a bid to weaken his campaign against the rebel uprising.

The Libyan leader, in an audio message broadcast on state television on Friday, said he had survived the assault.

Hours after Gaddafi's minute-long speech, the sound of four explosions, most likely a NATO strike, could be heard in Tripoli.

Government spokesman Ibrahim Uthman said the strikes targeted the country's Agriculture Ministry. The same building, however, was targeted days ago and, at the time, residents said it was a government intelligence building.

Shortly before Gaddafi's remarks were broadcast, regime spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claimed that a NATO airstrike in Brega had targeted a meeting of dozens of clerics and officials from around Libya, a claim NATO denies.

Ibrahim said 11 imams were killed in their sleep at a guesthouse, and 50 people were wounded, including five in critical condition.

The alliance, responding to the claim, said it had attacked a military command-and-control centre, and that it could "not independently confirm the validity" of claims of civilian casualties.

"We're very careful in the selection of our targets and this one was very clearly identified as a command center," said an official at NATO's operational headquarters in Naples, Italy, who spoke under the alliance's rules that he could not be named.

NATO targets Libyan weapons depots - Freedom Fighters report coalition air strikes against anti democratic regime targets near Zintan, as well as strikes near Misurata.

NATO air attacks have hit anti democratic regime weapons depots near Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, the capital, according to a Freedom Fighter in the town.

Separately, two loud explosions rocked a western sector of Tripoli on Sunday as jets flew overhead, witnesses had told the AFP news agency.



An international coalition began carrying out attacks on forces loyal to Dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's long-time ruler and destroyer, on March 19, under a UN mandate to protect civilians in the country. NATO took command of operations over Libya on March 31.

"NATO struck weapons depots five minutes ago in an area which lies about 30km southeast of Zintan," Abdulrahman, the freedom fighter, told the Reuters news agency by telephone on Sunday.

"We heard a loud explosion ... I think the strike hit some of them [the depots].

"We are now at a cemetery burying 11 people martyred during yesterday's fighting, in which 35 other fighters were also wounded."

The reported air raids came a week after the Libyan Regime said that Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, and three of his grandchildren were killed in a NATO air strike on a compound in Tripoli but some believe that they had being murdered under the direct orders of Gaddafi in order to get back the support of civilians who are leaving him day by day..

Elsewhere in the country, freedom figters in the contested city of Misurata clashed with regime forces near the airport, a spokesman of pro democracy fighters told the Reuters news agency on Sunday.

"Fierce fighting is taking place now at the airport and in the air force college area [near the airport]. We are still hearing sounds of artillery and rockets," the spokesman, called Abdelsalam, said from Misurata.

"NATO struck an area in the east of Misurata today but we do not have details."


Meanwhile, Tunisia warned on Sunday that the repeated shelling from Libya of one of its border towns may force it to take measures to protect its sovereignty.

The country's official TAP news agency said that about 80 shells from Libya had fallen on Tunisian territory.


There were no reported injuries after the shells fell as Libyan troops fought with freedom figters to regain control of the Wazen-Dhehiba border post.

TAP quoted the Tunisian foreign ministry as warning that the country would take "all measures needed" within the law to ensure protection of its citizens, refugees and its territory.

Tunisia summoned Libya's ambassador on April 29 to complain after shells fell in inhabited areas. It now says Libya is not keeping to its commitments.

Meanwhile Italian coast guards and local fisherman saved all 528 refugees on a boat from Libya after their vessel hit rocks off the island of Lampedusa in an operation a rescuer described as a "miracle."

Among the refugees who had thrown themselves into the water at night were 24 pregnant women.

NATO targets Libyan weapons depots - Freedom Fighters report coalition air strikes against anti democratic regime targets near Zintan, as well as strikes near Misurata.

NATO air attacks have hit anti democratic regime weapons depots near Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, the capital, according to a Freedom Fighter in the town.

Separately, two loud explosions rocked a western sector of Tripoli on Sunday as jets flew overhead, witnesses had told the AFP news agency.



An international coalition began carrying out attacks on forces loyal to Dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's long-time ruler and destroyer, on March 19, under a UN mandate to protect civilians in the country. NATO took command of operations over Libya on March 31.

"NATO struck weapons depots five minutes ago in an area which lies about 30km southeast of Zintan," Abdulrahman, the freedom fighter, told the Reuters news agency by telephone on Sunday.

"We heard a loud explosion ... I think the strike hit some of them [the depots].

"We are now at a cemetery burying 11 people martyred during yesterday's fighting, in which 35 other fighters were also wounded."

The reported air raids came a week after the Libyan Regime said that Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, and three of his grandchildren were killed in a NATO air strike on a compound in Tripoli but some believe that they had being murdered under the direct orders of Gaddafi in order to get back the support of civilians who are leaving him day by day..

Elsewhere in the country, freedom figters in the contested city of Misurata clashed with regime forces near the airport, a spokesman of pro democracy fighters told the Reuters news agency on Sunday.

"Fierce fighting is taking place now at the airport and in the air force college area [near the airport]. We are still hearing sounds of artillery and rockets," the spokesman, called Abdelsalam, said from Misurata.

"NATO struck an area in the east of Misurata today but we do not have details."


Meanwhile, Tunisia warned on Sunday that the repeated shelling from Libya of one of its border towns may force it to take measures to protect its sovereignty.

The country's official TAP news agency said that about 80 shells from Libya had fallen on Tunisian territory.


There were no reported injuries after the shells fell as Libyan troops fought with freedom figters to regain control of the Wazen-Dhehiba border post.

TAP quoted the Tunisian foreign ministry as warning that the country would take "all measures needed" within the law to ensure protection of its citizens, refugees and its territory.

Tunisia summoned Libya's ambassador on April 29 to complain after shells fell in inhabited areas. It now says Libya is not keeping to its commitments.

Meanwhile Italian coast guards and local fisherman saved all 528 refugees on a boat from Libya after their vessel hit rocks off the island of Lampedusa in an operation a rescuer described as a "miracle."

Among the refugees who had thrown themselves into the water at night were 24 pregnant women.

Western Coalitions to create fund for Libya Freedom Fighters

Countries involved in military campaign pledge money to provide food, medicine and supplies to opponents of Gaddafi.

The NATO-backed coalition in Libya has said it will create a fund for rebels fighting the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

The Transitional National Council (TNC), based in Benghazi, has appealed for loans of up to $3bn, saying they need around half of that for food, medicine and other basic supplies.

Italy, host of Thursday's meeting in Rome of the Contact Group on Libya, said the temporary special fund would aim to channel cash to the opposition administration in its eastern Libyan stronghold.

Franco Frattini, Italy's foreign minister, said $250m were already available, while his French counterpart said the fund could be up and running within weeks.

But efforts to unblock Libyan state assets frozen in overseas accounts, or to allow the rebels to get past UN sanctions that prevent their selling oil on international markets, have been held up.

"We'll be discussing a financial mechanism, we'll be discussing other forms of aid," Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said at a joint news conference with Franco Frattini, the Italian foreign minister.

"I will be formally announcing our non-lethal assistance so I think that there is an effort with urgency to meet the requests that the TNC is making," she said.

Loan rather than gift'

Clinton said the US government would try and free up some of the $30bn it has frozen in Libyan assets to help the TNC.

She said the administration of Barack Obama wants "to tap some portion of those assets owned by Gaddafi and the Libyan government in the United States, so we can make those funds available to help the Libyan
people".

Kuwait said it has pledged $180m and Qatar will put in $400-$500m, its prime minister said on Thursday.

However Britain has said it has no plans to contribute to the new fund because it had already made a "very substantial" contribution to humanitarian assistance.

Laurence Lee, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Rome, said it had been suggested that the money would not be a gift, but a loan from the coalition countries.

"One assumes that in the fullness of time this would be repaid by oil sales, which Qatar already started with one shipment of oil. And it may be able to be repaid relatively quickly.

He said the countries that recognise the rebel council, France, Italy and Qatar, are the ones with which the TNC will do business.

"The fact that it will be France and Italy that will be administing this fund is bound to lead some people to think that this is quite a good way of persuading a cash-strapped eastern Libya in Benghazi to accept a deal which is going to put oil and money into the hands of countries like France, Italy and Qatar.

"So although it looks like benevolence, there is a hard headed financial imperative that goes underneath it."

Mahmoud Shammam, chief spokesman for the TNC, has said the rebels urgently need $1.5bn to cover immediate running costs.

"We need this for medical supplies, for food supplies, to keep the minimum functions of normal life - electricity,
running hospitals etc," he said on Wednesday.

The rebels also want to press their cases for better weapons and equipment, Shammam suggested, saying that they are "hungry for basic arms."

The meeting of Libya Contact Group brought together foreign ministers from countries including France, Britain, the United States, Italy and Qatar as well as representatives of the Arab League and the African Union.

British officials said the Rome meeting would seek to impose new restrictions on arms smuggling and mercenaries operating within Libya, and hoped the contact group would work on action intended to restrict Gaddafi's exports of crude oil and his ability to import refined oil products.


Continuation of clashes

As the ministers met in Italy, fighting continued on the ground in Libya.

In Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, a rebel spokesman said NATO planes struck Gaddafi's forces and weapons depots west of the rebel-held town in two raids on Thursday.

"As far as we know, T-72 tanks, Grad missile launchers and heavy weaponry are kept in those depots," the spokesman, named Abdulrahman, told Reuters by telephone.

Earlier, Abdulrahman said pro-Gaddafi forces had fired about 50 Russian-made Grad rockets into Zintan on Thursday.

Near the border with Tunisia, a rebel fighter told Reuters there was intense fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in the area of the village of Ghezaya.

 The village lies between the Dehiba-Wazin border crossing, which is in rebel hands, and the town of Nalut where residents said Gaddafi loyalists had been shelling rebel positions.

Rebels say they are preparing for an attempt by Gaddafi's forces to retake the crossing.

Late on Thursday a Tunisian security source said more than a dozen mortar rounds fired from Libya had landed near Dehiba, one of them near a reservoir supplying the town with drinking water.

Western Coalitions to create fund for Libya Freedom Fighters

Countries involved in military campaign pledge money to provide food, medicine and supplies to opponents of Gaddafi.

The NATO-backed coalition in Libya has said it will create a fund for rebels fighting the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

The Transitional National Council (TNC), based in Benghazi, has appealed for loans of up to $3bn, saying they need around half of that for food, medicine and other basic supplies.

Italy, host of Thursday's meeting in Rome of the Contact Group on Libya, said the temporary special fund would aim to channel cash to the opposition administration in its eastern Libyan stronghold.

Franco Frattini, Italy's foreign minister, said $250m were already available, while his French counterpart said the fund could be up and running within weeks.

But efforts to unblock Libyan state assets frozen in overseas accounts, or to allow the rebels to get past UN sanctions that prevent their selling oil on international markets, have been held up.

"We'll be discussing a financial mechanism, we'll be discussing other forms of aid," Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said at a joint news conference with Franco Frattini, the Italian foreign minister.

"I will be formally announcing our non-lethal assistance so I think that there is an effort with urgency to meet the requests that the TNC is making," she said.

Loan rather than gift'

Clinton said the US government would try and free up some of the $30bn it has frozen in Libyan assets to help the TNC.

She said the administration of Barack Obama wants "to tap some portion of those assets owned by Gaddafi and the Libyan government in the United States, so we can make those funds available to help the Libyan
people".

Kuwait said it has pledged $180m and Qatar will put in $400-$500m, its prime minister said on Thursday.

However Britain has said it has no plans to contribute to the new fund because it had already made a "very substantial" contribution to humanitarian assistance.

Laurence Lee, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Rome, said it had been suggested that the money would not be a gift, but a loan from the coalition countries.

"One assumes that in the fullness of time this would be repaid by oil sales, which Qatar already started with one shipment of oil. And it may be able to be repaid relatively quickly.

He said the countries that recognise the rebel council, France, Italy and Qatar, are the ones with which the TNC will do business.

"The fact that it will be France and Italy that will be administing this fund is bound to lead some people to think that this is quite a good way of persuading a cash-strapped eastern Libya in Benghazi to accept a deal which is going to put oil and money into the hands of countries like France, Italy and Qatar.

"So although it looks like benevolence, there is a hard headed financial imperative that goes underneath it."

Mahmoud Shammam, chief spokesman for the TNC, has said the rebels urgently need $1.5bn to cover immediate running costs.

"We need this for medical supplies, for food supplies, to keep the minimum functions of normal life - electricity,
running hospitals etc," he said on Wednesday.

The rebels also want to press their cases for better weapons and equipment, Shammam suggested, saying that they are "hungry for basic arms."

The meeting of Libya Contact Group brought together foreign ministers from countries including France, Britain, the United States, Italy and Qatar as well as representatives of the Arab League and the African Union.

British officials said the Rome meeting would seek to impose new restrictions on arms smuggling and mercenaries operating within Libya, and hoped the contact group would work on action intended to restrict Gaddafi's exports of crude oil and his ability to import refined oil products.


Continuation of clashes

As the ministers met in Italy, fighting continued on the ground in Libya.

In Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, a rebel spokesman said NATO planes struck Gaddafi's forces and weapons depots west of the rebel-held town in two raids on Thursday.

"As far as we know, T-72 tanks, Grad missile launchers and heavy weaponry are kept in those depots," the spokesman, named Abdulrahman, told Reuters by telephone.

Earlier, Abdulrahman said pro-Gaddafi forces had fired about 50 Russian-made Grad rockets into Zintan on Thursday.

Near the border with Tunisia, a rebel fighter told Reuters there was intense fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in the area of the village of Ghezaya.

 The village lies between the Dehiba-Wazin border crossing, which is in rebel hands, and the town of Nalut where residents said Gaddafi loyalists had been shelling rebel positions.

Rebels say they are preparing for an attempt by Gaddafi's forces to retake the crossing.

Late on Thursday a Tunisian security source said more than a dozen mortar rounds fired from Libya had landed near Dehiba, one of them near a reservoir supplying the town with drinking water.

3 key figures in Anti Democaratic Gaddafi's regime will have to face WAR Crimes for crimes against humanity in Libya

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) has told the UN Security Council that he will seek three arrest warrants for crimes against humanity in Libya.

Charges against the three members of the Libyan government may include murder and unlawful detention, use of cluster bombs and rape as a weapon, Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Wednesday.

The UN Security Council referred the Libyan violence to the ICC in February.

Moreno-Ocampo is investigating Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, some of his sons and aides over a "pre-determined plan" to attack protesters.

He did not, however, name the targets of the arrest warrants, which he said he will request in several weeks for crimes against humanity committed in Libya since February 15.

"Crimes against humanity have been and continue to be committed in Libya, attacking unarmed civilians including killings and persecutions in many cities across Libya," the prosecutor said in a statement.

The prosecutor added that he was also investigating the deaths of dozens of sub-Saharan Africans in the rebel capital of Benghazi by an "angry mob" who believed they were mercenaries for Gaddafi.

Khalid Kaim, the Libyan deputy foreign minister, dismissed the ICC allegations saying Moreno-Ocampo's report painted a partial picture.

"Any decision or any conclusion can Mr. Ocampo draw out of his visit to Benghazi and to Egypt will be just one party review or one party position," Kaim said.

"Of course, since we are not party of the ICC, we cannot invite Mr. Ocampo but instead of that we can invite another fact-finding mission from the [UN] Security Council."

Rape as a weapon

Moreno-Ocampo said there were allegations that Africans from other nations had been attacked in rebel territory because they were thought to be mercenaries.

Alleged criminal incidents include security forces opening live fire at unarmed peaceful protesters, using rape as well as "systemic arrests, torture, killings, deportations, enforced disappearances and destruction of mosques" as a weapon, according to the prosecutor's report.

While a precise number is hard to provide, up to 700 people were killed in February alone, the report said. Gaddafi estimates that "only 150 or 200" have been killed.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said almost 40,000 people fled fighting in western Libya last month.

3 key figures in Anti Democaratic Gaddafi's regime will have to face WAR Crimes for crimes against humanity in Libya

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) has told the UN Security Council that he will seek three arrest warrants for crimes against humanity in Libya.

Charges against the three members of the Libyan government may include murder and unlawful detention, use of cluster bombs and rape as a weapon, Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Wednesday.

The UN Security Council referred the Libyan violence to the ICC in February.

Moreno-Ocampo is investigating Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, some of his sons and aides over a "pre-determined plan" to attack protesters.

He did not, however, name the targets of the arrest warrants, which he said he will request in several weeks for crimes against humanity committed in Libya since February 15.

"Crimes against humanity have been and continue to be committed in Libya, attacking unarmed civilians including killings and persecutions in many cities across Libya," the prosecutor said in a statement.

The prosecutor added that he was also investigating the deaths of dozens of sub-Saharan Africans in the rebel capital of Benghazi by an "angry mob" who believed they were mercenaries for Gaddafi.

Khalid Kaim, the Libyan deputy foreign minister, dismissed the ICC allegations saying Moreno-Ocampo's report painted a partial picture.

"Any decision or any conclusion can Mr. Ocampo draw out of his visit to Benghazi and to Egypt will be just one party review or one party position," Kaim said.

"Of course, since we are not party of the ICC, we cannot invite Mr. Ocampo but instead of that we can invite another fact-finding mission from the [UN] Security Council."

Rape as a weapon

Moreno-Ocampo said there were allegations that Africans from other nations had been attacked in rebel territory because they were thought to be mercenaries.

Alleged criminal incidents include security forces opening live fire at unarmed peaceful protesters, using rape as well as "systemic arrests, torture, killings, deportations, enforced disappearances and destruction of mosques" as a weapon, according to the prosecutor's report.

While a precise number is hard to provide, up to 700 people were killed in February alone, the report said. Gaddafi estimates that "only 150 or 200" have been killed.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said almost 40,000 people fled fighting in western Libya last month.

Fighting continues in Libya's Misurata - Latest Update on Libya Uprise

Freedom Figters say humanitarian deliveries affected in besieged city as battles rage for control of port rage on

Pro-democracy fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's, alias butcher of Libya's, forces on the country's western border while fighting continues in the besieged opposition held city of Misurata.

A spokesman for freedom figters told on Wednesday that heavy shelling had prevented ships from docking in Misurata to deliver humanitarian supplies and evacuate the wounded.

"The attacks have prevented a number of ships seeking to enter the port to evacuate the wounded from Misurata," Ahmed Hassan, the spokesman said.

"Other ships are also waiting to unload shipments from humanitarian agencies."

The freedom fighters said the Libyan army had withdrawn from central Misurata but that fierce fighting was still ongoing for control of the city's port.

"Gaddafi's forces retreated from the port area where they were positioned yesterday after air strikes by the NATO forces," an opposition spokesman, called Reda told the Reuters news agency.

The strikes completely destroyed 37 military vehicles. Gaddafi's forces this morning started bombarding an area about 10km north of the city. It is known as the Steel area.

"The bombardment is still going on. They are using Grad missiles ... Warplanes are flying over Misurata's outskirts but I don't hear any sound of strikes."

Fighting continues in Libya's Misurata - Latest Update on Libya Uprise

Freedom Figters say humanitarian deliveries affected in besieged city as battles rage for control of port rage on

Pro-democracy fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's, alias butcher of Libya's, forces on the country's western border while fighting continues in the besieged opposition held city of Misurata.

A spokesman for freedom figters told on Wednesday that heavy shelling had prevented ships from docking in Misurata to deliver humanitarian supplies and evacuate the wounded.

"The attacks have prevented a number of ships seeking to enter the port to evacuate the wounded from Misurata," Ahmed Hassan, the spokesman said.

"Other ships are also waiting to unload shipments from humanitarian agencies."

The freedom fighters said the Libyan army had withdrawn from central Misurata but that fierce fighting was still ongoing for control of the city's port.

"Gaddafi's forces retreated from the port area where they were positioned yesterday after air strikes by the NATO forces," an opposition spokesman, called Reda told the Reuters news agency.

The strikes completely destroyed 37 military vehicles. Gaddafi's forces this morning started bombarding an area about 10km north of the city. It is known as the Steel area.

"The bombardment is still going on. They are using Grad missiles ... Warplanes are flying over Misurata's outskirts but I don't hear any sound of strikes."

Freedom Figters battle Gaddafi forces in western Libya

Dictators forces bombard port in Misurata and Berber towns in the western mountains as NATO allies mull way ahead.

Libya's opposition fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the country's western border, while fighting continues in the besieged city of Misurata.

Pro-democracy forces have said the Libyan army has withdrawn from central Misurata, but fierce fighting is still ongoing for control of the city's port.



At least three people were killed in the fighting there a day earlier, an opposition spokesman called Reda told the Reuters news agency by phone on Tuesday.

"Gaddafi's troops are still positioned on the outskirts of the city," he said before the line was cut.

While dictators forces pulled out of the city over the weekend under pressure from NATO air attacks, they have since unleashed a heavy bombardment on the city, the only major western city in freedom figters hands.

"It was horrific, like a scene from World War II," said Saddoun el-Misurati, a resident who was waiting to evacuate his mother from the port when the rockets began to fall. "I stopped counting after nine."

Dictators forces on Tuesday bombarded the port, which is the sole lifeline of Misurata's battered population, news agencies said.

"Another development which is rather disturbing is that there has been shelling in the docks area, which is the lifeline to opposition forces and indeed the civilian population here," Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reported from Misurata.

"Reports from an opposition spokesperson say pro-Gaddafi troops are intent to cut the main road from city to the port. If the lifeline is cut then everyone is in a desperate situation.

"Though Gaddafi troops have left the city everybody is under threat of shellfire. The whole city centre has been destroyed and needs to be rebuilt."

Freedom Figters battle Gaddafi forces in western Libya

Dictators forces bombard port in Misurata and Berber towns in the western mountains as NATO allies mull way ahead.

Libya's opposition fighters are battling Muammar Gaddafi's forces on the country's western border, while fighting continues in the besieged city of Misurata.

Pro-democracy forces have said the Libyan army has withdrawn from central Misurata, but fierce fighting is still ongoing for control of the city's port.



At least three people were killed in the fighting there a day earlier, an opposition spokesman called Reda told the Reuters news agency by phone on Tuesday.

"Gaddafi's troops are still positioned on the outskirts of the city," he said before the line was cut.

While dictators forces pulled out of the city over the weekend under pressure from NATO air attacks, they have since unleashed a heavy bombardment on the city, the only major western city in freedom figters hands.

"It was horrific, like a scene from World War II," said Saddoun el-Misurati, a resident who was waiting to evacuate his mother from the port when the rockets began to fall. "I stopped counting after nine."

Dictators forces on Tuesday bombarded the port, which is the sole lifeline of Misurata's battered population, news agencies said.

"Another development which is rather disturbing is that there has been shelling in the docks area, which is the lifeline to opposition forces and indeed the civilian population here," Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reported from Misurata.

"Reports from an opposition spokesperson say pro-Gaddafi troops are intent to cut the main road from city to the port. If the lifeline is cut then everyone is in a desperate situation.

"Though Gaddafi troops have left the city everybody is under threat of shellfire. The whole city centre has been destroyed and needs to be rebuilt."

A building in the Dictator Gaddafi's compound flattened to the ground with heavy well targetted NATO air strikes!

NATO forces flattened a building inside Muammar Gaddafi's Bab al Aziziyah compound early on Monday.

Firefighters were still working to extinguish flames in a part of the ruined building a few hours after the attack, when foreign journalists were brought to the scene in Tripoli.




The press official, who asked not to be identified, said 45 people were hurt in the strike, 15 of them seriously, and some were still missing. That could not be independently confirmed.

Gaddafi's compound has been struck before, but NATO forces appear to be stepping up the pace of strikes in Tripoli in recent days.

A target nearby, which the regime called a car park but which appeared to cover a bunker, was hit two days ago.

The United States, Britain and France say they will not stop their air campaign over Libya until Dictator Gaddafi leaves power.

Washington has taken a backseat role in the air war since turning over command to NATO at the end of March but is under pressure to do more. This week it sent Predator drone air crafts which fired for the first time on Saturday still their is no sign of Dictator Gaddafi stepping down.

A building in the Dictator Gaddafi's compound flattened to the ground with heavy well targetted NATO air strikes!

NATO forces flattened a building inside Muammar Gaddafi's Bab al Aziziyah compound early on Monday.

Firefighters were still working to extinguish flames in a part of the ruined building a few hours after the attack, when foreign journalists were brought to the scene in Tripoli.




The press official, who asked not to be identified, said 45 people were hurt in the strike, 15 of them seriously, and some were still missing. That could not be independently confirmed.

Gaddafi's compound has been struck before, but NATO forces appear to be stepping up the pace of strikes in Tripoli in recent days.

A target nearby, which the regime called a car park but which appeared to cover a bunker, was hit two days ago.

The United States, Britain and France say they will not stop their air campaign over Libya until Dictator Gaddafi leaves power.

Washington has taken a backseat role in the air war since turning over command to NATO at the end of March but is under pressure to do more. This week it sent Predator drone air crafts which fired for the first time on Saturday still their is no sign of Dictator Gaddafi stepping down.