The U.S. group Human Rights Watch said forces loyal to Col. Moammar
Gadhafi employed cluster munitions in attacks on the rebel-held city of
Misrata, Middle East Newsline reported. The group's Cluster Munitions Coalition said the munitions were
produced in Spain.
"Libya should immediately stop all use of cluster munitions," Cluster
Munition Coalition director Laura Cheeseman said. "These banned weapons have
horrific effects and the unexploded ordnance that will result will prolong
civilian suffering even after the conflict has ended."
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The coalition, in a statement on April 16, said it collected evidence
from witnesses on Gadhafi's use of cluster bombs. The cluster bombs were
said to have been fired in mid-April.
HRW identified the Libyan cluster bombs as the MAT-120, fired from a 120mm mortar platform. The markings on the submunitions indicated that the
bombs were produced in 2007.
Human rights groups said Gadhafi's forces have also used anti-personnel
landmines against the rebels. Libya, which has denied the latest
allegations, has not signed the treaties that ban cluster munitions or
landmines.
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