ANGRY Libyans chanted Muammar Gadaffi’s name in Tripoli yesterday, as they gathered for the funeral of his son 29-year-old Saif al-Arab and three grandchildren, killed in the vicious NATO airstrike on Saturday night.
Saif al-Arab had no children, but three of his young nieces and nephews were also killed in Saturday’s blast.
They were the children of his siblings Hannibal, Aisha and Mohammed Gadaffi.
Thousands of people carrying green Libyan flags and pictures of Colonel Gadaffi turned out for the funerals. They pumped their fists in the air and chanted anti-NATO slogans.
‘We are all with Gadaffi’s Libya,’ read one placard.
Saif al-Arab’s coffin, covered in flowers and wrapped in the green flag was carried through the crowds to the grave at Hani cemetery in the Libyan capital.
Colonel Gadaffi did not appear to be at Saif al-Arab’s funeral but Saif al-Islam, the most prominent of his sons, attended in dark tribal robes.
The South African government, which has led an African peace initiative, condemned the attack and said the UN resolution which authorised air strikes did not cover the assassination of individuals.
‘The attacks on leaders and officials can only result in the escalation of tensions and conflicts on all sides and make future reconciliation difficult,’ it said in a statement.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also accused NATO of a ‘disproportionate use of force’.
It said the latest attack cast doubt on NATO’s assertion that it is not targeting Colonel Gadaffi or members of his family.
The ministry called for ‘an immediate cease-fire and the beginning of a political settlement process without preconditions.’
China reiterated its call for a cease-fire in Libya and urged Nato on Monday to abide by UN Security Council mandates.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Jiang Yu said in a statement: ‘The Chinese side has all along opposed any actions that overstep UN Security Council authorisation, we hope that all sides can immediately cease fire and politically resolve the current crisis in Libya through dialogue.
‘We express our concern over the death and injury to ordinary people as the conflict in Libya escalates.’
