Tripoli, April 22: At least nine people have been killed in the latest attack by NATO fighter jets in the Libyan city of Sirte, Libya’s state television said.
The attack comes as the US and its allies have stepped up military and diplomatic efforts to further pressure Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi to stop killing opposition forces and quit power.
US President Barack Obama has approved the use of armed predator drones to attack targets in Libya. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says American drones carried out their first mission on Thursday.
“We are trying to provide enough space, and in order to protect the opposition from Gaddafi’s military to the extent we can, we are reducing his military capabilities,” Gates added.
Meanwhile, Senior US Republicn Senator John McCain visited the opposition-held city of Benghazi in eastern Libya on Friday. No details about the trip have been reported.
McCain, a Vietnam veteran pilot, has urged the Obama administration to “re-engage” militarily in Libya to overthrow Gaddafi’s regime, saying the European allies lack the necessary capabilities.
Britain and France have also dispatched military advisors to Benghazi, claiming that they intend to improve the opposition forces’ military organization and logistics.
The United Nations has reported that the humanitarian situation in Libya has become more difficult and dangerous after visiting the crisis-stricken country.
——AGencies