Libyan leader calls for cease-fire negotiations with NATO
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 30, 2011 -- Updated 0618 GMT (1418 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Gadhafi calls on NATO to end airstrikes
* The leader says NATO airstrikes "terrifying kids and destroying our
infrastructure"
* He accuses NATO of bombing the country to take control of its oil
* At least nine dead, 30 wounded in one day, a doctor says
Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Saturday urged NATO to
negotiate an end to airstrikes, accusing the international coalition of killing
civilians and destroying the nation's infrastructure in a bid to take over its
oil production.
"Come and negotiate with us. You are the ones attacking us. You are the ones
terrifying our kids and destroying our infrastructure. You American, French and
British come and negotiate with us," Gadhafi said during a rambling 45-minute
address on Libyan state TV.
It was a rare appearance for the leader, who has not been seen in public since
international forces began bombing regime targets last month.
The airstrikes started after the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution
authorizing any means necessary to protect civilians demanding the ouster of
the ruler, who has been in power for nearly 42 years.
Training to defend Gadhafi
Fighting still raging in Misrata
RELATED TOPICS
* Libya
* Moammar Gadhafi
* NATO
At times, Gadhafi's address appeared to be a tirade against NATO and the United
Nations.
"What are you trying to do? Trying to take the oil?" he said. "The Libyan
people will not allow you ... The oil is under control of the Libyan government
and for the people."
He called on the United Nations to review the NATO attacks, saying his country
agreed to a cease-fire.
"We are the first ones who wanted and agreed on a cease-fire. But the NATO
crusader airstrike did not cease," he said. "It cannot be a cease-fire from one
side."
Gadhafi took to the airwaves after his government threatened to sink any ship
approaching the besieged port city of Misrata. The declaration essentially
threatens NATO patrols and humanitarian aid ships that have been bringing in
food and medical supplies and ferrying out refugees and the wounded.
The government threat came shortly after NATO said it intercepted government
forces laying mines in Misrata's harbor, which has been a lifeline for
humanitarian aid.
It also came as Gadhafi's forces were shelling Misrata in an attempt to
re-enter the city after being pushed out by rebels. Misrata, the country's
third-largest city, has been hemmed in on three sides for weeks by Gadhafi's
forces, leaving the sea as the only escape route.
At least nine people were killed and 30 more were wounded in Friday's attacks
in Misrata, said a doctor, who is a member of the medical committee in the city.
"There is an indiscriminate shelling now in Misrata," said the doctor, who
asked not to be identified because he feared retribution by Gadhafi's forces.
Meanwhile, Libyan state TV announced that the military had successfully
suppressed operations of the port.
"We will not allow any ship to dock at the port without being inspected by the
Libyan government," said Musa Ibrahim, a government spokesman.
He said any aid to Misrata must be delivered through designated land routes.
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