BERLIN // The leaders of the US, France and Britain sought to mask international rifts over Libya with a strongly worded statement vowing to maintain their air war until Col Muammar Qaddafi had been removed from power, and condemning his "medieval siege" of the western town of Misurata.
Col Qaddafi's forces have been firing cluster bombs into residential neighbourhoods in Misurata, The New York Times quoted witnesses as saying. The weapons, which dump high explosives in large areas, are not precise and can lead to a high civilian death toll.
"The people of Libya are suffering terrible horrors at Qaddafi's hands each and every day," US President Barack Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a joint letter published in US and European newspapers yesterday.
Last month's United Nations mandate calling for a no-fly zone over Libya was to protect civilians, not to remove Col Qaddafi by force, they wrote, adding, "but it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Gaddafi in power".
"The International Criminal Court is rightly investigating the crimes committed against civilians and the grievous violations of international law. It is unthinkable that someone who has tried to massacre his own people can play a part in their future government.
"Britain, France and the United States will not rest until the United Nations Security Council resolutions have been implemented and the Libyan people can choose their own future."
The statement was published on the second and final day of a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin that exposed divisions among the allies over the scale and strategy of the military operation, and over its chances of success.
The only real point of agreement at the meeting appeared to be that the campaign, which began almost a month ago, will be protracted.
In Berlin, the secretary general of Nato, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, at pains to present a common front, said the letter reflected "the unity of purpose and determination of Nato allies".
But he wasn't able to announce any pledges of additional combat planes in response to pleas from France and Britain and from Nato's top military commander, US navy Admiral James Stavridis, who said more precision attack aircraft were needed to avoid civilian casualties as Col Qaddafi's forces were hiding in populated areas.
"We have got indications that nations will deliver what is needed … I'm hopeful that we will get the necessary assets in the very near future," Mr Rasmussen told reporters yesterday. That was an attempt to put a positive spin on the gathering. But it was evident that many Nato allies, including the US, were unwilling to provide more help.
Britain and France complain that other Nato allies have not provided enough firepower to take out Col Qaddafi's armour and allow the rebels in control of the east to sweep him from power.
Italy, seen as a key potential candidate to increase Nato firepower in Libya, immediately ruled out ordering its aircraft to open fire. Rome has made airbases available for Nato forces and has contributed eight aircraft to the mission, but only for reconnaissance and monitoring.
"The current line being followed by Italy is the right one and we are not thinking about changing our contribution to the military operations in Libya," Ignazio La Russa, the Italian defence minister, told reporters in Rome.
The US says it sees no need to change what it calls a supporting role in the campaign - even though it has still been flying one-third of the missions - and many other Nato nations have rules preventing them from striking Col Qaddafi's forces except in self defence.
In Libya, reports said more government rockets crashed into Misurata, a lone rebel bastion in western Libya, yesterday. A local doctor told Al Jazeera at least eight people died and seven others were wounded in the second day of intense bombardment of the city.
Residents told the television network at least 120 rockets hit the city, where hundreds of civilians are reported to have died in a six-week siege. The rebels have begged for more air strikes to avert what they say is a potential massacre in Misurata.
On Thursday, rebels said intense fire from Russian-made Grad rocket launchers into a residential district had killed 23 people, mostly women and children.
Media reports say thousands of foreign migrants are stranded in desperate conditions in the port area. Aid organisations are warning of a humanitarian disaster.
The plight of Misurata has added to the pressure on the Western allies to step up air attacks.
In Tripoli yesterday, Col Qaddafi's daughter, Aisha, defended her father in a rally to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a US bombing raid.
"Talk about Qaddafi stepping down is an insult to all Libyans because Qaddafi is not in Libya, but in the hearts of all Libyans," she said.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20(2022)
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Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
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The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)