UK expels ambassador after Tripoli crowds trash embassy in response to air strike that killed members of Gaddafi's family
The British embassy in Tripoli was set on fire and other western missions were ransacked by angry Libyan crowds yesterday in retaliation for a Nato air strike that killed members of Muammar Gaddafi's family.
Britain responded to the burning of its chancellery and official residence by expelling Libya's ambassador to London, Omar Jelban, who was given 24 hours to leave the country.
Italy also reported that its embassy had been vandalised, and attacks were reported on the French and US embassies and on United Nations buildings.
The UN announced it was withdrawing its last international staff from Tripoli, as security degenerated in the capital following Saturday night's attack on a Gaddafi family home, which killed one of his sons and three young grandchildren.
Gaddafi himself was in the building at the time but escaped unharmed.
It was the second time in three days that Nato air attacks have come close to the Libyan leader, drawing accusations from Russia and Venezuela that the alliance was trying to assassinate Gaddafi. Nato officials denied that tactics had changed, insisting that they were targeting Libya's military command and control.
"We do not target individuals," said Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, commander of Nato's Operation Unified Protector, adding that he regretted any loss of life.
David Cameron said that to uphold the UN resolution on protecting Libyan civilians Nato was entitled to target not just "tanks and guns and rocket launchers, but also command and control as well".
Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, one of Gaddafi's less prominent sons, was killed in the attack, and three of his nieces and nephews – the leader's grandchildren – who were all thought to be pre-teens, also died.
Moussa Ibrahim, a government spokesman, called it a "direct operation to assassinate" the Libyan leader.
He added tellingly that intelligence appeared to have been leaked on Gaddafi's whereabouts, suggesting a sudden vulnerability. "They knew about him being there, or expected him for some reason."
Elsewhere, there were signs from the besieged city of Misrata that both sides were seeking to use the dramatic events of the weekend to seize the initiative.