LIBYA: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim says U.S. decision to use Predators is crime against humanity

Record ID: 416982

  • Title: LIBYA: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim says U.S. decision to use Predators is crime against humanity
  • Date: 23rd April 2011
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (APRIL 22, 2011) (REUTERS) LIBYAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER KHALED KAIM SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBYAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER KHALED KAIM SAYING: "Now he (Obama) is involving himself in a dirty game, which has sent drones to assassinate people. This is the only thing these type of aeroplanes can do, as to what happened in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. It will be another crime against humanity committed by the American administration." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBYAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER KHALED KAIM SAYING: "I could not understand that. Senator McCain he visited Libya, last year I think, and he met with the leader and he was free to express his views about the situation in Libya but now, I mean, his visit to Benghazi shows that the American administration has run out of options. They are trying to do anything just to show their own public that they are doing something." MORE OF CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBYAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER KHALED KAIM SAYING: "If they (Libyan army) cannot solve the problem in Misrata, then the people from Karkouna, Bin Waled, Dawara and other villages, they will move in and they will talk to the rebels and if they don't surrender then they will engage them in fighting. Thank you very much." KAIM WALKING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 8th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2C6DZECAKG1F7HK2HY1K76Y54
  • Story Text: Libya denounced the U.S deployment of armed Predator drones to the region on Friday (April 22), calling the act a crime against humanity by the Obama administration.
    "It will be another crime against humanity committed by the American administration," Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told reporters in Tripoli.
    Kaim went on to criticise Republican Senator John McCain's visit to the rebel-held city of Benghazi, saying the American administration had run out of options.
    "They are trying to do anything just to show their own public that they are doing something," Kaim said.
    The minister also said that Libya's army may quit fighting in Misrata because of NATO airstrikes, instead allowing local tribes to lead the fight against rebels.
    "If they (Libyan army) cannot solve the problem in Misrata, then the people from Karkouna, Bin Waled, Dawara and other villages, they will move in and
    they will talk to the rebels and if they don't surrender then they will engage them in fighting," Kaim told reporters.
    Libyan officials say they hold 80 percent of the city but rebels said on Friday they had captured several central buildings from government forces.
    Hundreds of fighters and civilians have died in Misrata.
    Rebel fighters have voiced frustration with the NATO military operation they see as too cautious.
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