NATO warplanes pound West of Tripoli

LIBYA: According to Libyan state television, the NATO-led military alliance hit civilian and military targets in the town of Zwara, 120 km west of the capital Tripoli, Reuters reported on Thursday, without giving further details.

NATO launched a major air campaign against the forces of the Libyan regime in mid-March under a UN mandate to “protect the Libyan population.”

Libyan revolutionary forces have heaped criticism on NATO over its continued spate of deadly airstrikes as well as its failure to prevent troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from killing civilians.

NATO has recently ramped up its air raids over Libya with the introduction of French and British attack helicopters.

During a recent meeting in Belgium, NATO defense ministers agreed to proceed with military action in the North African country until Gaddafi abandons power.

“All ministers agreed we will keep up the pressure for as long as it takes to bring this to an early conclusion,” said NATO’s Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen during a news conference on Wednesday.

Although NATO has extended the campaign for another 90 days, the ministers vowed to continue indefinitely, as the fighting between pro-Gaddafi forces and revolutionary fighters rages on in the country

Press TV