Libyan leader's whereabouts unknown after allied forces strike his compound
Libyan leader's whereabouts unknown after allied forces strike his compound
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US Vice Adm Bill Gortney said neither Gaddafi nor his residence had been targeted. "We are not going after Gaddafi," he told reporters at the Pentagon.
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Asked about reports of smoke rising from the area of the Libyan leader's palace, Gortney said, "We are not targeting his residence."
The British called off a second bombing run targeting the compound for fear of hitting civilians, said a Ministry of Defence spokesman.
The ministry said earlier that Royal Air Force GR4 Tornadoes were told not to launch weapons after "information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area." At the time it did not identify the target of the aborted mission.
Gaddafi's whereabouts and his plans after promising a "long-drawn war" remained unknown.
The US military mission in Libya may have peaked, spokesman Vince Crowley said. "We are moving from the action phase to a patrolling phase," said Crowley, a spokesman for the military's Africa Command. "Our aircraft participation has... plateaued, if not reduced somewhat."
A witness in the Libyan city of Misrata reported "absolute destruction and carnage" by Gaddafi forces yesterday despite the regime's recent call for a cease-fire.
"Misrata is being flattened and razed to the ground as we speak," said the man. "He (Gaddafi) is using tanks and snipers to terrorise the city."
The Libyan military announced the cease-fire after an attack near Benghazi the heart of the Libyan opposition forces. Coalition forces pounded a Libyan military convoy there on Sunday.
At least 70 vehicles including armored personnel carriers and tanks were destroyed.
55
Number of sorties French military aircraft have carried out over Libya in the past three days since the launch of the international coalition's operation
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