Tripoli, May 20
NATO fighter jets struck three ports in bombing runs overnight, targeting Muammar Gaddafi's navy in an effort to protect the nearby rebel-held port of Misrata, NATO said today. It was the broadest attack on Libya's naval forces since the alliance joined the conflict.

One bombing run hit the main port of Tripoli, where reporters could see flames and smoke rising above the stricken warship into the night sky. Other targets were the Khoms port, between Tripoli and Misrata, and Sirte, east of the city.

In Brussels, NATO confirmed that its warplanes targeted the ports and accused Libya of using its ships in the escalating conflict, including attempts to mine the harbour in Misrata.

Rebels trying to end the nearly 40-year rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been struggling to hold Misrata against repeated attacks by Gaddafi's forces.

British Maj Gen John Lorimer, a communications officer, said British warplanes hit two Libyan corvette warships in the Khoms harbour and "successfully targeted a facility in the dockyard constructing fast inflatable boats, which Libyan forces have used several times in their efforts to mine Misrata and attack vessels in the area." He said the port was the nearest concentration of regime warships to the port of Misrata, which Gaddafi has repeatedly attempted to close to humanitarian shipping.

Mohammed Rashid, general manager of the Tripoli port, told reporters the coast guard boats were used to patrol Libyan waters for immigrant boats trying to make it to Europe and for search-and-rescue activities.

The port official said some damage was done to the port, but it was minimal. A government official later said he feared the NATO strike would discourage ships from using the Tripoli port, reducing imports and driving up the cost of basic goods for Libyans.

In a tour given to reporters at a distance from the area, a warship could be seen on fire, with flames and plumes of smoke rising from the stricken vessel.

Rear Adm Russell Harding, deputy commander of the NATO operation, said the Gaddafi regime was employing more ships in its campaign against rebel fighters.

“Given the escalating use of naval assets, NATO had no choice but to take decisive action to protect the civilian population of Libya and NATO forces at sea,” he said.

“NATO has constantly adapted to the rapidly changing and dynamic situation in Libya and at sea,” he said in a statement. — AP 

Washington, May 20
Warning that “strategies of repression and diversions” will not work anymore, US President Barack Obama has asked Arab rulers that they must listen the people's voices.

“The events of the past six months show us that strategies of repression and strategies of diversion will not work anymore,” Obama said in his speech on the recent developments in the Middle East and North African nations. “Let me be clear, America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard, even if we disagree with them,” he said. He said the US backs a political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa to meet the legitimate aspirations of the people of the region, in turmoil for months now.

“It will be the policy of the US to promote reform across the region, and to support transitions to democracy. We support reforms in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region,” Obama said. “I want to make it clear that it is a top priority that must be translated into concrete actions, and supported by all strategic tools at our disposal.”

He said America must use all our influence to encourage reform in the region. “And we are going to start with Tunisia and Egypt,” he said. — Agencies

The US had urged Pakistan to send ISI Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to India to participate in the investigation of the 26/11 terror attack, a recently released WikiLeaks cable has revealed.

The cable sent by chargé d’affaires Gerald Fierstein from the US Embassy in Islamabad on November 29, 2008, reveals that during a

meeting with former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Charge at the Embassy had stressed that not sending Pasha to India would be a sign of “retreating from promises of cooperation”.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had agreed to send Pasha to India after telephonic conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Later, the decision was taken back after the Pakistan army opposed the idea.

United Nations, May 20
India and 14 other countries were today elected to the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.

India was not in competition for the seat since there were four countries and four seats for the Asia block. With 189 countries voting, Indonesia received 184 votes, Philippines 183, India 181 and Kuwait 166. Other countries to be elected to the council included Burkina Faso, Botswana, Congo, Benin, Czech Republic, Romania, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Italy and Austria. These countries will begin their term on June 19 for a three-year term.

In the wake of international condemnation of its crackdown on protesters, Syria gave up its seat to Kuwait. The UN Watch, a Geneva-based group that monitors the UN, said Burkina Faso, India, Philippines and Indonesia had questionable qualifications to be on the human rights body. — PTI

BRIEFLY

US consulate convoy targetted
Peshawar: Pakistani Taliban on Friday targeted a US consulate convoy in Peshawar with a car bomb killing one person and injuring over 12 others, the first attack on Americans in the country since Osama bin Laden’s death. — PTI

Now, royal wedding in Bhutan
THIMPU: Bhutan will witness royal wedding later this year when the 31-year-old King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ties the knot with a girl educated in India. Media reports said the royal wedding is planned for October. — PTI