London, May 09: NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the regime of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi is nearing an end since pressure is mounting on him to quit power.
“The game is over for Gaddafi. He should realize sooner rather than later that there’s not future for him or his regime,” Rasmussen was quoted as saying by AFP on Sunday.
The NATO chief said the airstrikes carried out by the military alliance with the purpose of protecting civilians will continue until Gaddafi relinquishes power.
This is while, opposition forces, trapped in the bloody siege of the western city of Misratah, have once again criticized NATO’s inaction in targeting government forces and letting them further advance to revolutionaries’ positions.
Countries involved in Libya war have recently approved the establishment of a fund to financially help revolutionary forces in the fight against Gaddafi forces, as NATO operations slip further into a deadlock.
However, the humanitarian situation in Misratah is aggravating since the city’s port, which is the only access way to the stranded people, has been insecure as Gaddafi loyalists keep shelling the port.
The situation is reportedly no better in Tripoli where people stand in miles-long lines for fuel. The government has blamed the shortages on NATO strikes.
NATO warplanes have recently stepped up attacks on targets in Libyan capital, Tripoli, a move that came under severe criticisms from China and Russia when an attack led to the death of Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Arab, and three of the ruler’s grandchildren on April 30.
Russia has frequently slammed the West, saying the attacks should be carried out within the framework of UN Resolution 1973 which mandated the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians.
——–Agencies