- Title: LIBYA: Government says coalition aeroplanes killed thirteen people in Sabha
- Date: 29th March 2011
- Summary: LIBYAN TV FOOTAGE AIRED DURING PRESS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 13th April 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: War / Fighting
- Reuters ID: LVA3E76IZMPKTJIJUCHHOB8D44IJ
- Story Text: Western coalition air strikes hit civilian and military areas in the towns of Sabha and Mizdah, Libyan government spokesperson said on Monday. Mizdah is about 184 km south of the capital.
Libyan government spokesperson Ibrahim Mussa said more than a dozen people died and more than a hundred wounded during the attack.
"The last official figure we received from Sabha, is around 196 people between dead and injured. We believe the number of the dead people are around 12 to 13," said Ibrahim.
"The towns of Mizdah and Sabha were badly hit. We find it very strange that to protect civilians in Benghazi, they have to hit the towns of Mizdah, very west of Libya and the town Sabha which is one thousand kilometre in the desert. We offered the ceasefire, we offered the chance to be judged for our ceasefire, we offered the chances for observers," added Ibrahim.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces have gained control in part of Misrata, rebels said on Monday, although fighting continued in what the government claimed was the "liberated" western city.
The Libyan foreign ministry announced a ceasefire against what it called "terrorist groups" in the town, Libya's state news agency said.
Although rebels have made recent advances in the east, Misrata was the only city under rebel control in the west.
International organisations have expressed concern about humanitarian conditions in the besieged city.
A Libyan government spokesman referred to "liberated Misrata" and organised a trip for international journalists to the city on Monday afternoon.
Residents said they want the Libyan leader to keep them safe from any rebel attack.
"We want leader Muammar to save us, he kept us safe for 42 years. The rats are comings to us. Who calls themselves freedom fighters?" said one resident Reuters met on the organised trip.
Rebels and a resident said eight people were killed when forces loyal to Gaddafi resumed attacks on Sunday, ending a brief lull in fighting following Western air strikes. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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