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Nato suggests 'weapons systems failure' in Tripoli raid | Nato suggests 'weapons systems failure' in Tripoli raid |
(40 minutes later) | |
Nato has admitted "a weapons systems failure" may have led to civilian casualties in Sunday morning's air strike in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. | Nato has admitted "a weapons systems failure" may have led to civilian casualties in Sunday morning's air strike in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. |
The alliance said the intended target was a missile site, but "it appears that one weapon" did not hit it. | The alliance said the intended target was a missile site, but "it appears that one weapon" did not hit it. |
The Libyan government earlier said Nato had bombed a residential area, killing nine civilians, including two babies. | The Libyan government earlier said Nato had bombed a residential area, killing nine civilians, including two babies. |
Meanwhile, rebel leaders said their administration had run out of money as donors' pledges had not materialised. | Meanwhile, rebel leaders said their administration had run out of money as donors' pledges had not materialised. |
They told a news conference in the eastern city of Benghazi that they were still waiting for funds that should have been deposited by last week. | They told a news conference in the eastern city of Benghazi that they were still waiting for funds that should have been deposited by last week. |
'Family killed' | 'Family killed' |
Nato is enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians in Libya. | Nato is enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians in Libya. |
But on Sunday evening, the commander of operation Unified Protector, Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, said: "Nato regrets the loss of innocent civilian lives and takes great care in conducting strikes against a regime determined to use violence against its own citizens. | But on Sunday evening, the commander of operation Unified Protector, Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, said: "Nato regrets the loss of innocent civilian lives and takes great care in conducting strikes against a regime determined to use violence against its own citizens. |
“Start Quote | “Start Quote |
One shell whistled above us and smashed into an orchard perhaps 100m away” | One shell whistled above us and smashed into an orchard perhaps 100m away” |
End Quote
| |
"Although we are still determining the specifics of this event, indications are that a weapons system failure may have caused this incident." | "Although we are still determining the specifics of this event, indications are that a weapons system failure may have caused this incident." |
The statement said that more than 11,500 sorties had already been conducted and "every mission is planned and executed with tremendous care to avoid civilian casualties". | The statement said that more than 11,500 sorties had already been conducted and "every mission is planned and executed with tremendous care to avoid civilian casualties". |
Nato later released a video statement. | Nato later released a video statement. |
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Tripoli says the incident could prompt questions about what Nato is achieving in Libya - not least by Nato members who never agreed with the operation. | The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Tripoli says the incident could prompt questions about what Nato is achieving in Libya - not least by Nato members who never agreed with the operation. |
Sunday's attack, in one of the capital's poorer neighbourhoods, happened shortly after midnight, Libyan officials say. | Sunday's attack, in one of the capital's poorer neighbourhoods, happened shortly after midnight, Libyan officials say. |
They say that nine people were killed, including two babies, and another 18 people injured. It is not possible to verify this claim independently. | They say that nine people were killed, including two babies, and another 18 people injured. It is not possible to verify this claim independently. |
Our correspondent, who was taken to the site by government officials, saw two bodies being removed from the rubble. | Our correspondent, who was taken to the site by government officials, saw two bodies being removed from the rubble. |
Scores of men were working alongside the emergency services, pulling at sections of rubble and looking for bodies. | Scores of men were working alongside the emergency services, pulling at sections of rubble and looking for bodies. |
Our correspondent was then taken to a Tripoli hospital where he was shown the bodies of two men, a woman and two babies, who government officials said had been killed in the strike. | Our correspondent was then taken to a Tripoli hospital where he was shown the bodies of two men, a woman and two babies, who government officials said had been killed in the strike. |
Rapidly shifting lines | Rapidly shifting lines |
Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the incident represented a "deliberate targeting of civilian houses". | Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the incident represented a "deliberate targeting of civilian houses". |
The incident came shortly after Nato "regretted any possible loss of life" from an accidental air strike on a rebel column near the oil refinery town of Brega on Thursday. | The incident came shortly after Nato "regretted any possible loss of life" from an accidental air strike on a rebel column near the oil refinery town of Brega on Thursday. |
A rebel spokesman said it was to Nato's credit that it had admitted that mistake. | A rebel spokesman said it was to Nato's credit that it had admitted that mistake. |
Nato's mission - to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians using "all necessary measures" short of a ground invasion - began in March in response to Col Muammar Gaddafi's violent response to a popular uprising. | Nato's mission - to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians using "all necessary measures" short of a ground invasion - began in March in response to Col Muammar Gaddafi's violent response to a popular uprising. |
The intervention was mandated by the UN, and led by France, Britain and the US until the end of March, when Nato took over. | The intervention was mandated by the UN, and led by France, Britain and the US until the end of March, when Nato took over. |
Having initially been given 90 days - which would have run out on 27 June - the mission has been extended for a further 90 days. | Having initially been given 90 days - which would have run out on 27 June - the mission has been extended for a further 90 days. |
Rebel finances | Rebel finances |
The rebels control a third of Libya in the east and pockets in the west, including Misrata, although Tripoli remains under government control. | The rebels control a third of Libya in the east and pockets in the west, including Misrata, although Tripoli remains under government control. |
On Sunday, senior officials from the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) issued an urgent plea for foreign financial aid. | On Sunday, senior officials from the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) issued an urgent plea for foreign financial aid. |
Despite having won promises of assistance from their Western and Arab supporters, they have yet to receive any money, they said. | Despite having won promises of assistance from their Western and Arab supporters, they have yet to receive any money, they said. |
They believe they need more than $3bn (£1.9bn) to cover salaries and other needs in the next six months. | They believe they need more than $3bn (£1.9bn) to cover salaries and other needs in the next six months. |
So far the TNC has paid salaries and met other costs by drawing on whatever money was left in the Benghazi branch of Libya's central bank. | So far the TNC has paid salaries and met other costs by drawing on whatever money was left in the Benghazi branch of Libya's central bank. |
But now those coffers are empty, rebel strategic adviser Shamsuddin Abdul Mullah told the BBC's Bridget Kendall in Benghazi. | But now those coffers are empty, rebel strategic adviser Shamsuddin Abdul Mullah told the BBC's Bridget Kendall in Benghazi. |
Mr Abdul Mullah said they still hoped the delay was temporary, but that it was becoming increasingly hard to explain. | Mr Abdul Mullah said they still hoped the delay was temporary, but that it was becoming increasingly hard to explain. |
Cash was needed urgently to buy medical supplies for the frontline, as well as to avoid popular frustration with a situation that was becoming increasingly dire, he added. | Cash was needed urgently to buy medical supplies for the frontline, as well as to avoid popular frustration with a situation that was becoming increasingly dire, he added. |
Are you in Libya? Do you have friends or family in Libya? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in Libya? Do you have friends or family in Libya? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |