April 5, 2011

International Criminal Court: Gadhafi planned civilian killings

The international court's prosecutor said there is evidence that Gadhafi's government planned to put down anti-government protests by killing civilians before the uprising in Libya broke out.

Haaretz Service via Reuters

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ world/article/international_criminal_court_gadhafi_planned_civilian_killings_20110405/

The International Criminal Court has evidence Muammar Gadhafi’s government planned to put down protests by killing civilians before the uprising in Libya broke out, the ICC’s prosecutor said on Tuesday.

The peaceful protests that erupted on Feb. 15 descended into civil war as Gadhafi’s forces first fired on demonstrators, then violently put down the uprisings that followed in the west, leaving the east and the third city of Misrata in rebel hands.

NATO-led air power is now holding the balance in Libya, preventing Gadhafi’s forces overrunning the seven-week old revolt, but unable for now to hand the rebels outright victory.