Akhir 26, 1432, March 31, 2011, SPA-- The new commander of international military operations in Libya warned Thursday that anyone attacking civilians would be «ill-advised» to continue, and said he would look into a report by a Vatican envoy that air strikes had killed 40 innocent people, AP reported. As NATO took over command of all air operations over Libya, Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said the bloc had already deployed more than 100 fighters and support aircraft to monitor the no-fly zone over Libya and prevent attacks on civilians. The alliance also had a dozen frigates patrolling the Mediterranean Sea off Libya to prevent weapons shipments from reaching the warring sides. The hand-over from the U.S., which had been leading the impromptu group of countries bombing forces loyal to Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi, «has been seamless with no gaps in the effort,» the commander told journalists from his headquarters in Naples, Italy. His remarks were transmitted by video link to other journalists in Brussels. NATO aircraft had already flown more than 90 sorties since the alliance took over command at 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT), Bouchard said. Addressing those attacking civilians, Bouchard said: «You would be ill-advised to continue such activities. I recommend that you cease such activities.» He also said NATO would investigate a claim by the Vatican's envoy in Libya that air strikes in Tripoli during the night had killed 40 civilians _ though he noted that the alleged incident was said to have taken place before NATO took command. -- SPA
