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Libyan Opposition Welcomes 'Non-Lethal' U.S. Aid

   Peter Clottey  April 21, 2011

Photo: AP

   A Libyan rebel fighter manning an anti-aircraft gun flashes the victory
   sign as his vehicle advances towards the front line, on the outskirts
   of Ajdabiya, Libya, April 20, 2011

   A member of the rebels fighting to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
   has welcomed reports that the Obama administration is considering
   providing $25 million in non-lethal assistance to the rebel leadership,
   the Transitional National Council.

   It includes medical supplies, uniforms, boots, tents, radios and
   personal protective gear.

   Awad Juma said Libya's opposition also wants the international
   community, including NATO, to help end the humanitarian crisis by
   putting more pressure on the Gadhafi government to stop attacking
   unarmed civilians.

   'We welcome this civilized cause as long as it protects civilians and
   provides shelter for the needy. I hope and expect more from the free
   world under the leadership of the United States,' said Juma.

   His comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said
   there are reports that pro-government forces may have used cluster
   bombs against rebels in Misrata, Libya's third largest city.
   Clinton did not provide details, but she said government forces there
   are engaging in what she called 'deplorable' activities that target
   civilians and cause enormous suffering and death.
   Cluster bombs scatter small deadly fragments across a wide area.
   The U.S. secretary of state expressed deep regret for all loss of life
   and said she was especially saddened by the deaths of two journalists
   killed in Misrata.

   She said the international community remains united in its resolve, and
   she repeated calls for Mr. Gadhafi to step down.

   Juma said forces loyal to the Libyan leader are shelling areas under
   rebel control, despite the recent U.N. resolution calling for the
   protection of unarmed civilians.

   'This is the seventh week that Misrata is under siege. [It's] under
   constant bombardment by Gadhafi's troops [but] I can't see any
   protection for civilians. We need to protect civilians [and] what we
   need are for NATO's [airstrikes] to be more efficient hitting the
   targets [pro-government forces],' said Juma.

   'Giving more time to discuss where to hit and where not to hit
   [government troops], this is giving more time to Gadhafi to [attack]
   the Libyan people. We have said it before that if they supply us with
   efficient weapons, we are capable of defending ourselves,' he added.

   This week, Britain, France and Italy announced they will send military
   advisors to help the rebels with logistics and communications
   equipment.

   Rebels have said they are receiving limited supplies of weapons from
   what they call 'friends' and from sales on the international market.
   The Libyan government has accused Qatar of supplying anti-tank weapons
   to the rebels. Qatari officials say the U.N. resolution protecting
   Libyan civilians allows them to provide 'defensive weapons' against
   pro-Gadhafi forces.