British Defense Chief: NATO Needs to 'Up Ante' in Libya

May 15, 2011

in-Libya-121854174.html

VOA News May 15, 2011

The head of Britain's armed forces is urging NATO to broaden its range of

bombing targets in Libya amid fears the conflict might end in a stalemate.

General s told The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that there is a risk

the conflict could result in Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi clinging to power if

NATO does not " up the ante. "

He said NATO is currently not attacking infrastructure targets in Libya but

needs to consider increasing the range of its targets and intensifying its

military action.

Restrictions imposed by members of NATO allow its forces to only attack targets

that pose a direct threat to Libyan civilians.

Libyan officials have accused NATO of violating that mandate by launching

attacks aimed at killing Colonel Gadhafi.

Libyan rebels began their uprising against Gadhafi in February. NATO began

supporting them with airstrikes in March.

On Saturday, mourners buried 11 people who were reportedly killed in a NATO

airstrike the day before. The mourners fired guns and yelled angry chants at the

funeral.

Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said the airstrike killed 11 imams in

the eastern city of Brega. The alliance responded by saying it is very careful

in its selection of targets and had attacked a military command and control site

in Brega.

NATO later said it could not confirm or deny civilian casualties.

Also Saturday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with visiting Libyan

opposition leaders seeking support for their cause.

The opposition Transitional National Council delegation met with U.S. national

security adviser Tom Donilon and other officials in Washington on Friday. After

the meeting, the White House released a statement calling the TNC a " legitimate

and credible " voice for the Libyan people, but stopped short of a full

diplomatic recognition.

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