NATO defends credibility after civilian deaths

NATO defended its air war in Libya on Tuesday, insisting it took care to avoid civilian casualties after Italy warned that its first such mistake this weekend left alliance 'credibility at risk.'

'I would suggest that our reputation and credibility is unquestionable,' said Wing Commander Mike Bracken, the mission's military spokesman.

Italy's foreign minister Franco Frattini issued the credibility warning after NATO admitted accidental civilian deaths Sunday when a malfunctioning bomb hit a Tripoli residence — an embarrassing incident for a mission aimed at protecting civilians.

'What is questionable is the Gaddafi regime's use of human shields, (and) firing missiles from mosques,' Bracken told reporters from operation headquarters in Naples, Italy.

The strike in Tripoli came after NATO voiced regret for another friendly fire incident in which it hit rebel military vehicles in Brega last week.

Bracken however rejected claims from Muammar Gaddafi's regime of further civilian deaths Monday from NATO bombs.

He said an air strike in the western Tripoli suburb of Sorman on Monday hit a legitimate military target. The regime said 15 people, including three children, had died in that bombing.

'If you look at our track record, we have taken utmost care to avoid civilian casualties and we will continue to do so,' said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.

Frattini on Monday said: 'We cannot run the risk of killing civilians. This is not good at all.'

'NATO's credibility is at risk.'

Meanwhile, senior Libyan rebel leader Mahmud Jibril arrived in China on Tuesday as Beijing intensifies its involvement in efforts to resolve the crisis in the wartorn country, calling on the two sides to talk.

Jibril, the top foreign affairs official in the Libyan opposition's National Transitional Council, will meet with the Chinese foreign minister ,Yang Jiechi, during his two-day visit, ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

'China's immediate task is to promote peace and encourage talks,' Hong said, adding the situation in the north African state, where unrest broke out in mid-February, 'should not be left as it is anymore'.

'The Libyan crisis has lasted for four months — during this period of time, the people of Libya have suffered to the fullest extent the chaos caused by war, and infrastructure was greatly damaged,' Hong said.

The British prime minister, David Cameron, also insisted that Britain could continue its Libya operations for 'as long as is necessary', and expressed irritation at warnings from the military that it is overstretched.

In a leaked briefing paper, Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant, the deputy head of the Royal Air Force, warned its ability to carry out future missions would be under threat if Britain's involvement in Libya extended past the summer.

Last week First Sea Lord Admiral Mark Stanhope, the head of the Royal Navy, also warned that the armed forces, slimmed down by budget cuts, would have to make tough choices if the Libyan campaign lasts more than six months.

Source : New Age