Libyan government uses botched NATO strikes as propaganda

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We have seen who is attacking civilians. They are targeting houses and flats. Tomorrow they will target schools and hospitals.
Libya Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaim • Claiming that NATO’s accidental bombing of a civilian home in Tripoli was a sign that the group was actively going after Libyan civilians. Which is, of course, false. Instead, they’re actually going after Kaim’s boss, Muammar Gaddafi. Kaim is simply trying to misinform others about what happened in hopes that it’ll turn the tide against NATO. Unfortunately for NATO, the recent accidental strikes don’t look good, no matter how much Kaim is trying to misinform libyans. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Apr 2011 11:48

This is a very unfortunate incident. I strongly regret the loss of life. I can assure you that we do our utmost to avoid civilian casualties.
NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen • Expressing regret over an airstrike that likely killed Libyan rebels. That’s not an apology, by the way, but a statement of regret. See, it’s things like this that get those in need of assistance frustrated with NATO. Dudes! They’re on your side! Stop talking about them like they’re an anonymous neutral party. It just pisses them off. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

All operations are carried out in a very vigilant way. … The ambition and precision of our strikes has not changed. The facts speak for themselves.
NATO spokesperson Carmen Romero • Defending the organization from withering criticism by Libyan rebels that the airstrikes have weakened in recent days. “NATO is not doing their job, the airstrikes are late and never on time. NATO is not helping us. Gahdafi still gets ammunition and supplies to his forces, that’s why he is pushing us back,” said current rebel and former Gaddafi official Pvt. Mohammed Abdullah. “We don’t know what he would be able to do if there are no airstrikes.” Ouch. That’s harsh. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

» That’s what NATO says, at least. NATO Brigadier General Mark van Uhm made the claim to a bunch of reporters in Brussels. That said, though, some of Gaddafi’s tactics have made it harder for NATO to attack. “The operational tempo remains, but we have seen a change of tactics (from Gaddafi),” van Uhm said. “When human beings are used as shields we don’t engage.”

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink