Air strikes by Western forces in Libya continue

The missile and air strikes by Western forces in Libya continued for the third day. They pounded several Libyan military targets across Tripoli. The allied firepower also targeted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold of Zuwarah, Sirte, Sebha as well as embattled city of Ajdabia. Commander of US Naval Forces (Europe and Africa) Admiral Samuel J Locklear III said Libyan air force's capabilities have been significantly degraded as a result of the air strikes. He claimed that the coalition forces have virtually frozen Gaddafi's advance in the key rebel city of Benghazi.
Meanwhile, international criticism of the Coalition air-strikes in Libya is growing. India, Russia and China have demanded an immediate end to the strikes. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Lok Sabha yesterday that no external power should interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Earlier, Political parties cutting across party lines urged the Lower House of Parliament to adopt a unanimous resolution deploring what they called brutal attacks on Libya. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that international forces' air strikes have resulted in civilian deaths. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said yesterday that the government opposes the wanton use of armed force leading to more civilian casualties and more humanitarian disasters.

In the meantime, fighting continued between Gaddafi's forces and the rebels. Al Jazeera channel said, the government troops pounded rebel-held towns of Misurata and Ajdabia. Four children were killed while trying to flee their home in Misurata. Fighting also broke out between Libyan loyalists and the rebels in the town of Yafran killing at least nine people.Colonel Gaddafi appeared at a site in Tripoli that was recently attacked by a US-led coalition and told his followers that he will finally emerge victorious. He said at the Bab al-Aziziya compound, hit by air strikes on Sunday, that all Islamic armies should join him.