Gadhafi's youngest son killed in NATO air strike

1 May 2011 02:57 am - 42 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A NATO air strike Saturday night killed the youngest son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and three of his grandsons at his son's home in Tripoli, the Libyan government said.

NATO hadn't confirmed late Saturday that it carried out the air strike that killed Seif al-Arab Gadhafi, 29. Regime officials said that Moammar Gadhafi and his wife were visiting the home when it was struck, but both were unharmed.

Gadhafi's youngest son's death comes one day after the Libyan leader appeared on state television calling for talks with NATO to end the air strikes, which have been hitting Tripoli and other Gadhafi strongholds since last month. Gadhafi suggested there was room for negotiation, but he vowed to stay in Libya.

Western officials have been divided in recent weeks over whether Gadhafi is a legitimate military target under the United Nations Security Council resolution that authorized the air campaign. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week that NATO was "not targeting Gadhafi specifically" but that his command-and-control facilities - including a facility inside his sprawling Tripoli compound that was hit with air strikes last Monday - were legitimate targets.

The Pentagon wouldn't confirm the air strike late Saturday.

The Obama administration is said to believe that killing Gadhafi under the current conditions would exceed the U.N. mandate, which calls for air strikes to protect civilians.

U.S. officials rejected an assertion last month by Gates' British counterpart, Liam Fox, who said that assassinating Gadhafi was "potentially a possibility." British Prime Minister David Cameron said that coalition forces didn't have the legal authority to do so.

The apparent NATO air strike excited rebels, who thus far have not been able to break the leader's hold on the capital, Tripoli.

In Benghazi, the rebel capital, the city erupted into revelry that sounded much like warfare. Residents set off bombs and explosives, shot rounds into the air and honked their horns. But the signals of joy were clear: Amid the sounds were cheers from residents who ran out into the streets to celebrate even as fireballs shot up into the sky.

Meanwhile, on Libyan state television, commentators mourned Seif al-Arab and spoke of all the ways the regime would survive what they described as a unjust act.

Seif al-Arab was considered the least dangerous of Gadhafi's immediate family. Seif al-Arab is not Seif al-Islam, another of Gadhafi's sons and heir apparent to his regime up until the uprising began here two months ago.

A 2009 U.S. State Department cable released by WikiLeaks said that Seif al-Arab "reportedly spends most of his time in Munich, where he is involved in ill-defined business pursuits and spends much of his time partying." (McClatchy Newspapers)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 42

MagodisThuma Sunday, 01 May 2011 11:15 AM

Why not... We have enough Coconut Oil !.

Jet Lindsay Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:37 AM

Again you all live in a a so called happy lifestyle in SL is because of the WEST. West funds you to have what you got. Please read about the UN Charter before jumping up and down. Also the conditions of the “NO FLY ZONE ++”
Cant educate you bunch be negative so not just your generation but at least another 4 Gens to come Sri Lanka will be stuck down under.

Ruzaick Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:46 AM

This is totally unacceptable act by the NATO.

Doha Boy Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:31 AM

NATO and UN are two diffet\rent entities

shehan jayawardene Sunday, 01 May 2011 08:27 AM

Good riddance to bad rubbish...

BAN KEY MOON Sunday, 01 May 2011 08:58 AM

Continue from where Bush stoped. War Crime Obama to Haige alonge with UN Ban Key Moon and NATO .

Innocent Children Killed. Hilary is it Accident. How if your Daugther is Killed. Or Nato Generals Children Killed.

Jesus Is Coming Back soon, You may say God Bless America.

He will tell i have no idea what America is.

tharanga Sunday, 01 May 2011 09:25 AM

NETO or whoever, this type of disgusting criminals should be liable to international crimes. wonder is that at this crucial juncture, UN is blind. BKM and other intellectuals should take actions on accountability like they did on sri lanka. surely they won't and will say neto operations were under especial resolutions. any way gadaffi will go for a revolution

kosala Sunday, 01 May 2011 10:08 AM

this is utterly barbaric .. UN endorses NATO disposes. savages

kosala Sunday, 01 May 2011 10:11 AM

the handy work of a Nobel peace price winner ... what a joke the Nobel peace price have become .. giving it to warmongers ..... Alfred Nobel must turning on grave

Upul Sunday, 01 May 2011 10:41 AM

Sri Lanka and east countries had their happy life even before west knew of these countries. Do not think west is everything.

amir Sunday, 01 May 2011 10:43 AM

looks like sri lanka is next.

Rajitha Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:14 AM

You mean Obama right? or is it David Cameroon?

Calistus Jayatilleke Sunday, 01 May 2011 11:26 AM

"Sins of the fathers"

Anil Sunday, 01 May 2011 12:28 PM

The relatives and friends of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing will rejoice when Gaddafi gets it.

well wisher Sunday, 01 May 2011 12:29 PM

I wish this missile would have hit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait or UAE. Becoz these are pimps of so called west.

abdul Sunday, 01 May 2011 12:42 PM

i believe in karma

RPNM Sunday, 01 May 2011 02:32 PM

What does NATO expect killing Gadhafi ?

Let people of Libya decide what to do.

XHJK,M Sunday, 01 May 2011 02:32 PM

SAME AS IT HAPPEND IN LANKA NORTHEAST

Ibnu Batuta Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:39 PM

Certainly not more than what the NATO is doing

citizen1 Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:17 PM

Yes...why we have a huge oil well somewhere...

Fayad Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:15 AM

UN MANDATE IS TO KILL ,DESTROY THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF A COUNTRY & GIVE THE OIL FOR THE WEST. SAME AS IRAQ. WHO IS NEXT ????????

Dr Mervin Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:48 AM

Next will be the Butcher himself, for the crimes he committed against the People of Libya!

wara Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:50 AM

This is all Gadaaffi Propaganda, some say he has gone into hiding! if he died show his body?

shyamali Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:51 AM

The Opposition Council should be elected to run the government! and send the Gaddaffi family to the Hague

lankan Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:51 AM

Wheres the UN hear we have little kids killed

JUNIOR CITIZEN Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:53 AM

How many Libyan People has this guy slaughtered???

nandana Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:54 AM

Like Father, like son!

VAsantha Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:15 AM

Dear Obama,

Is this not war crime ? Basted

Off Cut Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:22 AM

..and the World was told that the purpose of the UN Resolution was to only impose a 'No Fly Zone' over Libya to protect the 'Rebels' !!
Who authorized NATO to kill innocent Libyans ???

mike Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:25 AM

What ever da cause US has no right to do this. Coming from a history of killing African Americans & slavery who are they to do such crime. They know da importance of libiyan oil. Arab word should act now

Godaya Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:26 AM

THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND A REAL WAR CRIME. WHERE IS UN?

Chamalka Sunday, 01 May 2011 03:46 AM

Wish it's Gadhafi himself .

Yuri Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:44 AM

We have to be smart to protect our King Family too, We never know what comes next

Lankan Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:51 AM

What is the meaning for having a UN?You people close eyes when these barbarians kill people at their will.Shaaaaaaaaameeee...!!!!

shalan Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:41 AM

so should we try NATO for war crimes? bloody hypocrites....

appuhamy Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:55 AM

this is the fate when you disobey U.S.

Ibnu Batuta Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:59 AM

Undisputed barbarism of the West

sarath Sunday, 01 May 2011 04:44 AM

USA requesting more tornados.

Ishan Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:02 AM

hmmm wonder where is UN?

Nicky Karunarathna Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:10 AM

If NATO, US, UK and UN can kill people with impunity in broad daylight like this, Libiyan people can also target these muderers and their leaders same manner. And why not? if LTTE was live and kicking, Gaddafi could have hired some of Prabakaran's suicide bombers for this purpose. Now we regret!

Rajitha Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:08 AM

you go and lick their boots then. Coward!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Gadhafi's youngest son killed in NATO air strike

Comments - 42

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

April 15 declared a government holiday

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings