NATO continues terrorist attacks on Libya

Two NATO airstrikes on June 19 and 20 exposed even further the criminal nature of the imperialist war against the North African state of Libya. On June 19 NATO forces struck a civilian residential area in Tripoli, the capital, killing nine people in a household, including two children.

The following day NATO bombings of a residential area near Zawiya in Libya’s West killed another 15 civilians. Libyan government spokesperson Musa Ibrahim noted that the attacks in the Surman area included eight rockets that struck five homes and a farm. Ibrahim said one home belonged to government aide Khaled el-Kweldi. Those killed included 6-year-olds Khaleda el-Kweldi and Salam Lanouri, and 4-year-old Khalid el-Kweldi.

A NATO statement claimed that the objective of the June 20 strike was to destroy a military missile site, adding that “it appears that one weapon did not strike the intended target and that there may have been a weapons system failure.” NATO Lt.-Gen. Charles Bouchard said the alliance “regrets the loss of innocent lives.” (CNN, June 20)

Ibrahim called the NATO attacks “cold-blooded murder. Is this the protection of civilians? Is this really the search for peace and democracy in Libya, to attack peaceful neighborhoods of Tripoli?” (CNN, June 20)

The NATO statement also said that since March 19, there have been more than 11,500 bombing operations over Libya “and every mission is planned and executed with tremendous care to avoid civilian casualties. NATO remains fully committed to this operation.” (CNN, June 20)

NATO strikes have killed civilians before, both supporters and opponents of the government in Tripoli. Also on June 20, NATO strikes hit vehicles in the area around al-Brega and killed opposition combatants from the Western-backed Transitional National Council based in Benghazi. NATO forces characterized the situation around al-Brega as “a particularly complex and fluid battle scenario. We regret any possible loss of life or injuries caused by the unfortunate incident.” (CNN, June 20)

Ibrahim holds NATO, U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and others “responsible morally and legally for these murders and crimes.”

Opposition to the war on Libya broadens

At a June 15 news conference in New York, Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam; former U.S. Representative and Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney, who had recently returned from Libya; former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; and others denounced the US/NATO war against Libya.

The African National Congress Youth League held its congress in Midrand, outside Johannesburg, South Africa. The congress attracted thousands of young people from inside the country and around the African continent. The ANCYL went on record denouncing the attacks against Libya as an imperialist war and criticizing the African leaders who voted for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which provided the pseudo-legal rationale for the total military onslaught against the oil-producing state.

Deputy Secretary General Tendai Wenyika of the Pan-African Youth Union, an affiliate of the African Union, who is also a member of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriot Front Youth League, told the thousands of delegates to thunderous applause: “This congress comes at a time when imperialism has raised its ugly head again. Young people should not allow Africa to be sold out for the love of sugar.” (South African Mail & Guardian, June 17)

The PAYU spokesperson also criticized the African Union parent body for endorsing Western-backed presidential contender Alassane Ouattara, who took office after a French military coup in Ivory Coast during April. “In Ivory Coast, imperialism was allowed to reign by our African heads of state,” she said.

Youth leader Ludwig Hlordze of Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress referred to Julius Malema, the re-elected president of the ANCYL, when he said, “Africa will continue to support you to make sure that the mineral resources of our continent remain here.” (South African Mail & Guardian, June 17)

In the U.S. on June 15, 10 members of the House of Representatives filed suit in federal court against the Obama administration, saying the War Powers Act of 1973, a Congressional reaction to the mass struggle against the Vietnam War, is being violated. They demanded the White House provide answers regarding the mission and length of the war on Libya.

The administration argued that the military actions against Libya were “limited” and are not considered a war. Yet thousands of people have died in Libya and on the seas offshore.

Anti-war forces in the U.S. have escalated their demands for the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from the region. The International Action Center in New York has reissued its petition drafted in May demanding that the Congress and the people call the administration to account for violating the War Powers Act.

Thousands of people have responded to the IAC petition. Its impact has prompted action and debate from various political wings of the Congress. A CBS News polls showed that 60 percent of the people in the U.S oppose the war. (Telephone poll June 3-7) The onslaught has no public mandate.