2011-06-22 16:15:30

Italy calls for suspension of hostilities in Libya


The Italian foreign minister has called for the “immediate suspension” of hostilities in Libya to allow for the creation of humanitarian corridors.

In comments to a parliamentary commission, Italy’s foreign minister Franco Frattini said Wednesday that an “end of military operations is essential to allow for immediate aid” to areas including the rebels' western stronghold of Misrata and around Tripoli, the Libyan capital and stronghold of Muammar Gaddafi.

A NATO-led bombing campaign that began in March was aimed at protecting civilians under a U.N. resolution, but Frattini also expressed concern over civilian casualties, referring to “dramatic errors” in the bombing campaign.

On Wednesday NATO warplanes resumed daytime strikes on targets in the Libyan capital. It wasn't immediately clear what had been hit or if there were casualties.

Meanwhile, China's foreign minister sought to bolster ties with Libya's rebels on Wednesday, telling the opposition leader that his Transitional National Council represents a growing segment of the Libyan public.

The remarks were China's strongest endorsement of the council yet, marking an attempt to hedge China's bets over the outcome to the Libyan conflict and dealing a further diplomatic setback to Moammar Gadhafi.

Listen to report by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: RealAudioMP3








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