Monday, March 21, 2011

Gadhafi's compound struck in coalition bombing

***Breaking News***

A central portion of Moammar Gadhafi's compound in Tripoli was heavily damaged earlier today by allied bombing. Gadhafi's whereabouts are unknown at this time. U.S. officials say they the Libyan leader is not being actively targeted, but if he happens to be in an area where coalition attacks are occurring, "that is his "problem"

 A second bombing run by British forces targeting the compound was called off for fear of hitting civilians, a Ministry of Defence spokesman told CNN Monday, declining to be named in line with British tradition.
The ministry said earlier that Royal Air Force GR4 Tornadoes were told not to launch weapons after "information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area." At the time it did not identify the target of the aborted mission

The Security Council resolution, which passed Thursday, allows member states "to take all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack in the country ... while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory."

CNN's Nic Robertson was among several Western journalists taken inside Gadhafi's bombed compound by Libyan officials to survey the destruction.
Robertson reported a four-story building was heavily damaged. He held a chunk of metal retrieved from the site -- with writing in English -- that appeared to be from a cruise missile.

The U.S. military mission in Libya may have peaked, spokesman Vince Crowley said Monday.
"We are moving from the action phase to a patrolling phase," said Crowley, a spokesman for the military's Africa Command. "Our aircraft participation has... plateaued, if not reduced somewhat."

 

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