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By Hao Zhou in Benghazi and Zhu Shanshan in Beijing Coalition forces continued a seventh day of air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his forces on Friday while NATO agreed to take over responsibility from the US for enforcing the no-fly zone over the country. At least three explosions rocked Tripoli and its eastern suburb of Tajura early Friday, according to AFP, which reported that at least one blast was heard from the center of the capital while others came from Tajura. Later in the day, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that the 28-member alliance would take responsibility for the no-fly zone in Libya. "We are taking action as part of a broad international effort to protect civilians against the Gaddafi regime," said Rasmussen, adding that talks would continued on giving NATO a "broader responsibility", with a decision possible in the coming days. Yin Gang, a senior Middle East analyst at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that NATO's decision delivers a positive sign to both the forces participating in military actions against Gaddafi and the pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya. "Previously, command of the coalition forces in the battles was in a mess without adequate coordination among different forces. With NATO to take the lead in commanding the military operations, it is likely to avoid major missteps and the actions NATO might take will be much better considered and within proper limits," Yin said. To Gaddafi, facing a more mature military group as NATO rather than fragmented forces puts him in a better position during follow-up measures he could take such as negotiating a cease fire, Yin added. To further enforce the no-fly zone, 12 countries took part in the coalition, the Pentagon said, including two Arab nations, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates which announced Friday it would contribute 12 aircrafts in the coming days. While underlining that "significant progress" had been made in the past few days and praising Arab supports, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Friday that "the danger is far from over", and Gaddafi's forces remain "a serious threat to the safety of the people." Additionally, British and French warplanes targeted ground forces in the strategic eastern town of Ajdabiya, while NATO's mission currently is confined to securing the no-fly zone. Tornado jets launched missiles at Libyan armored vehicles in Ajdabiya, 860 kilometers from Tripoli, Britain's Defense Secretary Liam Fox said Friday. "The Tornado aircraft launched a number of guided Brimstone missiles at Libyan armored vehicles which were threatening the civilian population of Ajdabiya," Fox said. A French fighter jet also destroyed an artillery battery outside Ajdabiya, said France's defense chief Admiral Edouard Guillaud, noting the allied operation would not drag on for months. In spite of international aid, disorganized rebels were still being held off by Gaddafi loyalist in retaking Ajdabiya which is a strategic town south of Benghazi. Song Shengxia and agencies contributed to the story |
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