Nato strikes at Libya's oil in bid to oust Gaddafi

[dkf]

Friday, 8 July 2011SHARE PRINTEMAILTEXT SIZE NORMALLARGEEXTRA LARGE
AFP/GETTY
Rebels fire rockets as they advance on Tripoli yesterday

Nato forces have attacked Libya's oil facilities for the first time in this conflict in an attempt to starve Muammar Gaddafi's army of fuel, as rebels, following fierce clashes, moved to within 50 miles of the capital Tripoli.

The airstrikes on the complex at Brega, one of the countries' biggest petrochemical complexes and port for export, was designed, says Nato, to prevent regime troops from mounting attacks.

Control of Brega and the adjoining city of Ras Lanuf has changed hands several times in the course of the bitter civil war. It is now under the control of the regime, denying the opposition administration based in Benghazi a highly lucrative source of income.


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nato-strikes-at-libyas-oil-in-bid-to-oust-gaddafi-2308962.html

[mazzarro]

1. Hmmmm! civilian protection gone wild! -- n/t