TRIPOLI, March 20 (Xinhua) — Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi vowed on Sunday to snatch a victory over Western forces which began on Saturday to launch air strikes against his troops, called these attacks “a crusader war” against the Libyan people.
“We will not leave the West to enjoy the Libyan oil,” he said.
Gaddafi vowed the coalition which started to attack his forces will collapse at the end, saying his government had opened up weapons depots to all Libyans.
“Weapons are being given to all citizens,” he said in a brief audio message carried out by Libya’s official TV, calling the Western forces to start ground military operations.
The world’s major powers, Britain, the United States and France, started earlier on Saturday to launch strikes from the air and sea against Gaddafi’s forces after the UN Security Council had passed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and protect civilians in Libya.
France carried out an initial four air strikes, while the U.S. military said 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from American and British ships and submarines at more than 20 Libyan coastal targets.
Beyondheadlines Desk Input: According latest reports, 64 people have been killed and 150 injured in these strikes, in what the US officials termed as so far “successful.”
