NATO says it hit Libyan TV transmitters

[1]

NATO announced on Saturday it had carried out precision strikes on three Libyan television transmitters to silence 'terror broadcasts' by Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

"A few hours ago, NATO conducted a precision air strike that disabled three ground-based Libyan state TV satellite transmission dishes in Tripoli... with the intent of degrading Gaddafi’s use of satellite television as a means to intimidate the Libyan people and incite acts of violence against them," a statement said.

The strike was 'performed by NATO fighter aircraft using state-of-the-art precision guided munitions', said the statement released by Alliance spokesman Colonel Roland Lavoie.

"We are now in the process of assessing its effect," he added.

"Our intervention was necessary as TV was being used as an integral component of the regime apparatus designed to systematically oppress and threaten civilians and to incite attacks against them.

"Kadhafi’s increasing practice of inflammatory broadcasts illustrates his regime’s policy to instill hatred amongst Libyans, to mobilize its supporters against civilians and to trigger bloodshed," the statement said.

"In light of our mandate to protect civilian lives, we had to act. After due consideration and careful planning to minimize the risks of casualties or long-term damage to television transmission capabilities, NATO performed the strike.

"Striking specifically these critical satellite dishes will reduce the regime’s ability to oppress civilians while at the same time preserve television broadcast infrastructure that will be needed after the conflict."

An AFP journalist in Tripoli said a dozen explosions shook the Libyan capital overnight - the latest of many blasts in a city which has been targeted almost daily by NATO air raids.

Shortly after 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Friday, at least 10 powerful blasts, some distance away, were heard in the city centre.

Early on Saturday, three explosions rocked the district where Gaddafi's residence is located in the centre of Tripoli, shaking the hotel nearby where international correspondents are based.

Libyan television said the capital was 'currently the target of raids by the crusader colonialist aggressor', its catchphrase for NATO.

An announcer on Al-Jamahiriya television said later the Libyan TV headquarters had been hit by a raid. He gave no further details.