Libyan leaders vows again not to step down
VOA News April 30, 2011
A man passes graffiti caricatures related to Moammar Gadhafi and Brega, during a funeral in Benghazi, April 19, 2011
Libya says NATO air forces bombed a site near the national broadcast offices early Saturday while Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was inside delivering an address to the nation.
The government says the bombing shows allied forces are specifically targeting Mr. Gadhafi.
In an hour-and-a-half long televised speech, the Libyan leader vowed he would not step down from power.
He also addressed NATO countries involved in airstrikes in Libya, calling on them to negotiate an end to the conflict and to stop the bombings.
Libya's conflict spilled beyond its borders Friday, as forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi clashed with Tunisian soldiers after chasing rebel fighters across the frontier.
The incursion drew a sharp reaction from Tunisian authorities, who summoned Libya's ambassador to protest.
Libyan pro-government forces have been trying to reclaim the border crossing, in the western Wazin region, which was seized by rebels last week.
Meanwhile, NATO says its warships intercepted pro-Gadhafi forces laying anti-ship mines in the harbor of the western, rebel-held city Misrata. NATO warned Misrata port authorities, who closed the facility, forcing the cancellation of the arrival of two aid ships.
The port is the only lifeline for the city of 300,000, which has been under siege for two months.
NATO operations commander Brigadier Rob Weighill said the alliance intercepted several small boats Friday. He said the incident shows what he called Mr. Gadhafi's complete disregard for international law by trying to keep humanitarian aid from being delivered to civilians.
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