Nato hits Tripoli as Gates says Gaddafi’s time is up

Nato warplanes pounded Tripoli yesterday and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said it was only a matter of time before aides to embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi abandon him.

Russia also voiced concerns that the alliance’s military operation is sliding towards a land campaign.

Five powerful explosions rocked Tripoli late yesterday as warplanes overflew the Libyan capital which has been the target of intense Nato raids for the past two weeks, an AFP journalist said.

A powerful but distant blast was felt at around 9 p.m., followed by stronger explosions a few minutes later.

Earlier, three waves of explosions shook Tripoli and its eastern suburbs as Nato kept up its pressure on the Libyan strongman.

Four blasts shook Tripoli at around 2.30 a.m. after two powerful but distant explosions were felt in the city centre at around 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by others within minutes.

Witnesses reported four more explosions at midday on Sunday in Tajura, a suburb often targeted by Nato since an international coalition began military operations against Libya on March 31.

“It’s only a matter of time (before he falls),” Mr Gates said. “I don’t think anyone knows how long. But I think you see signs the regime is getting shakier by the day.

Mr Gates, on a visit to Afghanistan, said Col Gaddafi’s aides will inevitably abandon him.

“It’s just a question when everybody around Gaddafi decides it’s time to throw in the towel and throw him under the bus.”

British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Saturday met leaders of rebels fighting to oust Col Gaddafi after Nato deployed attack helicopters for the first time.

Mr Hague admitted yesterday that the Nato operation was “intensifying” and that there was no deadline, but denied any “mission creep” for the aerial bombing campaign launched nearly three months ago.

“We’re not going to set a deadline. You’re asking about Christmas and who knows, it could be days or weeks or months, (but) it is worth doing,” Mr Hague told BBC television.

Mr Hague defended the use of attack helicopters and ruled out putting forces on the ground in Libya, saying Nato would stick to the terms of the UN Security Council resolution passed in March to protect civilians.

“This is not mission creep, changing the nature of the mission, this is intensifying what we are doing in order to make this mission a success,” he added.

Mr Hague in Benghazi on Saturday met the head of the opposition National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, and toured a medical centre treating war wounded.

Britain and France said on Saturday they deployed attack helicopters against Col Gaddafi’s forces for the first time as part the NATO campaign to protect civilians in line with UN Resolution 1973.

“We welcome any action that could precipitate the end of (Muammar) Gaddafi’s regime,” Mr Jalil said.Britain said yesterday Apache helicopters destroyed a multiple missile launcher operated by Kadhafi forces near the eastern oil hub of Brega.