ICC warrant for Gaddafi

Libya hits back at ICC warrant for Gaddafi

     

     International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes against the Libyan leader Gaddafi. Government has hit back on charging the tribunal tool of European powers.

          Rebel fighters on ground yesterday captured a large arms depot from pro-Gaddafi forces in the desert near their mountain of Tripoli in big boost to their resupply, an AFP correspondent said.

          Human rights bodies and the West, meanwhile, hailed the ICC's move on Nato bombing campaign.

          Libya rejected the warrants issued for Gaddafi, 69, his son Seif al-Islam, 39, and the head of Libyan intelligence, Abdullah al-Senussi, 62, for atrocities committed in a bloody uprising that began mid-February.

          The ruling is a "cover for Nato which is still trying to assassinate Gaddafi", said Libya's justice minister, Mohammed al-Gamudi.

          Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim said the ICC "functions as a European foreign policy vehicle.

          ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo sought the warrants as thousands died in fighting and an estimated 650,000 people fled the country 

          The submissions forces carried out a systematic campaign of arrest and detention of alleged dissidents.

          The Libyan strongman ordered the shooting of civilians leaving mosques after evening prayers.