NATO bombs struck a Libyan government complex before dawn Saturday, damaging
two buildings, just as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi called for a cease-fire and
negotiations with NATO powers in a live speech on state TV.
The targeted compound included the state television building, and a Libyan
official alleged the strikes were meant to kill Gadhafi. "We believe the target
was the leader," said government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim.
However, the TV building was not damaged, and Gadhafi spoke from an
undisclosed location.
Reporters visiting the scene of the strikes were told the damaged buildings
housed a commission for women and children and offices of parliament staff. One
of at least three bombs or missiles knocked down a huge part of a two-story
Italian-style building. In another, doors were blown out and ceiling tiles
dropped to the ground. A policeman said three people were wounded, one
seriously.
Gadhafi, meanwhile, called for a cease-fire in a speech that was both subdued
and defiant and lasted for more than an hour. "The door to peace is open," said
the Libyan leader, sitting behind a desk and repeatedly flipping through
handwritten notes. "You are the aggressors. We will negotiate with you," he
said. "Come, France, Italy, U.K., America, come, we will negotiate with you. Why
are you attacking us?"
He said Libyans have the right to choose their own political system, but not
under the threat of NATO bombings.
"Why are you killing our children? Why are you destroying our
infrastructure," he said, denying that his forces had killed Libyan
civilians.
Rebel leaders have said they would only negotiate a truce after Gadhafi has
stepped aside, something the Libyan leader has refused to do. The uprising
against Gadhafi, Libya's ruler of 42 years, erupted in mid-February, and has
claimed hundreds of lives. Rebels are controlling the east of the country, while
Gadhafi has retained most of the west.
Just hours before the speech, Gadhafi's forces shelled the besieged rebel
city of Misrata, killing 15 people, including a 9-year-old boy, hospital doctors
said. The city of 300,000 is the main rebel stronghold in western Libya, and has
been under siege for two months, with the port its only link to the outside.
On Friday, NATO foiled attempts by regime loyalists to close the only access
route to Misrata, intercepting boats that were laying anti-ship mines in the
waters around the port.
The Gadhafi regime signaled Friday that it is trying to block access to
Misrata by sea.
Ibrahim, the Libyan official, said he was unaware of the attempted
mine-laying. However, he said the government is trying to prevent weapons
shipments from reaching the rebels by sea. Asked whether aid vessels would also
be blocked, he said any aid shipments must be coordinated with the authorities
and should preferably come overland.
Gadhafi's forces have repeatedly shelled the port area in the past. Libyan
troops are deployed on the outskirts of Misrata, after having been driven out of
the downtown area by the rebels last week. AP
