Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi survived last night a NATO air strike that killed his youngest son, Saif al-Arab, and three grandchildren, announced today the Libyan government spokesman, quoted by Reuters.
Ibrahim Mussa said that Saif al-Arab was civilian and that he studied in Germany. He was 29 years old. Libyan Officials brought journalists to see the house that was hit by at least three missiles. The roof was completely destroyed in some places from which hung pieces of steel bars including concrete.
“What we have now is the law of the jungle. We think that is clear now to everyone that what is happening in Libya has nothing to do with protecting civilians”, said Ibrahim Mussa.
Gadhafi, who came to power after a coup d’état in 1969, is fighting an uprising of rebels that occupied most of the eastern Libya. British and French forces led by NATO have the permission to attack Gadhafi’s forces in accordance with a resolution of the United Nations to protect civilians.
NATO confirms the attacks
NATO confirmed today the attacks in the Bab al-Aziziya area of Tripoli, but not the death of the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, writes AFP, quoted by Reuters.
The alliance gave assurances that there are no certain persons targeted by the attacks. “NATO has continued overnight attacks targeted against the Gadhafi’s regime military installations in Tripoli, including a well-known command and control building in the Bab al-Aziziya area”, the Alliance announced in a statement.
“I am aware of unconfirmed press information that is possible that some Gadhafi family members have been killed. We regret any casualties, particularly those of innocent civilians”, said the Canadian commander of NATO operations in Libya, Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard.