VOA News May 17, 2011
In this photo taken on a government organized tour, soldiers and civilians gather in front of a burning official building following an airstrike in Tripoli, Libya, May 17, 2011
NATO is stepping up pressure on the Libyan government's strongholds with targeted aerial attacks and psychological warfare operations.
Wing Commander Mike Bracken said Tuesday NATO has air-dropped leaflets and broadcast messages to troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi asking them "to return to their barracks and homes".
The messages also urge them to move away from any military equipment, as they are potential targets for NATO airstrikes.
Airstrikes by the alliance targeted a building used by Libya's security services in the capital, Tripoli Tuesday, as well as the headquarters of the anti-corruption agency. Both structures were on fire after the bombing.
Meanwhile, Russia has called on Libya to comply with a United Nations Security Council resolution and withdraw its armed forces from civilian areas.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with representatives of the Libyan government Tuesday in Moscow. Lavrov said the Libyans expressed a willingness to look at an African Union peace plan if NATO ends its bombing campaign.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has said United Nations and Libyan officials are looking for a way for the embattled Libyan leader to go into exile.
In neighboring Tunisia, officials say Libya's oil minister has left his post and defected to their country. Libyan officials have not confirmed the defection.
Shukri Ghanem was the chairman of Libya's National Oil Corporation and veteran member of Gadhafi's regime.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
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