Tired of seeing Libyan state television used by beleaguered leader Moammar Gadhafi to incite violence and as a means to intimidate the masses, NATO forces launched a major airstrike against state-run resources over the weekend. State TV satellite transmitters in Tripoli were hit, and NATO targeted an array of facilities that have been used by Gadhafi and his regime to further their own cause. As of Saturday morning, however, state television was still on the air in Tripoli.
In a statement, NATO noted that the strikes were intended to cease or greatly challenge Gadhafi’s "use of satellite television as a means to intimidate the Libyan people and incit acts of violence against them." The statement added, "Striking specifically these critical satellite dishes will reduce the regime’s ability to oppress civilians while [still preserving] television broadcast infrastructure that will be needed after the conflict." Also noted in the statement was a belief that Gadhafi was using broadcasts to help to organize and mobilize those that still support him.
Among other targets in ongoing NATO strikes are military vehicles, radar facilities, ammunition depots and command centers. The ongoing NATO bombing campaigns are now in their fifth month and the organization has been largely embarrassed at the futility of the efforts so far. Among the countries helping to carry out the bombings include the U.S., Britain, France, Belgium, Canada, Norway, Denmark and Italy, and more than 6,500 strikes have been launched to date. The continuous failure has threatened to pull apart the coalition that is attempting to oust Gadhafi, with concerns about spending particularly evident.
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