Washington, April 28: US Ambassador to Libya Gene Cretz has said the number of fatalities since the revolution in the North African country could amount to 30,000 people.
“I don’t think we’re probably going to get an accurate number until we really get more hands-on experience on the ground,” Cretz said on Wednesday, stating that US officials have seen figures ranging from 10,000 to 30,000, the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said Washington thinks that Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) established by opposition forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, is “worthy of US support” but did not hint at formal recognition of the TNC by the US.
Washington’s special envoy to Benghazi, Chris Stevens, has been in Libya’s opposition-controlled parts for several weeks to assess the situation in the crisis-stricken country. On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama approved $25 million in non-military aid to the civilians in the eastern parts of Libya.
On Wednesday, NATO warplanes continued bombarding the vicinity of the besieged town of Misratah to push back forces loyal to the Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. However, Gaddafi loyalists shelled the western town after NATO air strikes.
Gaddafi forces also fired rockets at the opposition-held town of Zintan in the west, destroying several houses and commercial buildings, reports said.
Heads and envoys of 61 tribes across Libya have issued a joint statement calling on Gaddafi to step down. They said the country is facing growing threats due to Gaddafi’s actions which have ruined unity among Libyan people.
Humanitarian situation is aggravating especially in Misratah where thousands of people are in dire need of food, water and medical supplies.
——–Agencies