halt to hostilities in Libya

halt to hostilities in Libya, Italy calls

China, France back rebels; Arab League voices concern

Italy called yesterday for a halt to Libyan hostilities to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid as the civilian death toll mounted and state media said Nato was bombing highway traffic checkpoints.

   On the diplomatic front, China said it recognises Libya's opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as an "important dialogue partner."

          "We have seen the effects of the crisis and therefore also of Nato action not only in eastern and southwestern regions but also in Tripoli," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told a parliamentary committee meeting in Rome.

          France, which has taken the lead in military operations against Muammar Gaddafi, immediately ruled out any pause in the Libya campaign.

          The outgoing head of the Arab League Amr Mussa too voiced concerns about Nato's bombing campaign, in an interview with a British newspaper yesterday.

        "When I see children being killed, I must have misgivings. That's why I warned about the risk of civilian casualties," he said.

        
       Libyan state television and official news agency JANA meanwhile reported that Nato warplanes had carried out raids on the towns of Khoms and Nalut in western Libya.

Nato denied the allegation.

"I believe an immediate humanitarian suspension of hostilities is required in order to create effective humanitarian corridors," while negotiations should also continue on a more formal ceasefire and peace talks, he said"I think this is the most urgent and dramatic point," Frattini continued.

      France, which has taken the lead in military operations against Muammar Gaddafi, immediately ruled out any pause in the Libya campaign.