Gaddafi’s son threatens all-out attacks

Embattled Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s son has said it is about time to launch full-scale military attacks against anti-government forces as the crisis deteriorates in the North African country.

Saif al-Islam said on Thursday that unrestrained assaults will soon be carried out as there is no room for further negotiation with opposition forces, Reuters reported.

On Thursday, Libyan warplanes launched a blitz on revolutionary forces’ positions in the northern oil port city of Ras Lanuf, maintaining a counteroffensive against opposition fighters in an effort to contain their advance toward the embattled Muammar Gaddafi’s stronghold in the capital Tripoli.

The blitz comes as Gaddafi’s military has been making more use of its air power advantage to attack protesters.

Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi closed in on revolutionary forces Wednesday in the city of Zawiyah, located 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Tripoli, and surrounded them with tanks and snipers in the main square.

Rising casualties, threats of starvation and a refugee crisis have mounted pressure on foreign governments to adopt appropriate measure against the Gaddafi regime. Britain and France are seeking a UN resolution to authorize a no-fly zone over Libya’s airspace to stop Gaddafi’s air force from launching further air strikes against anti-government forces.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asserted that such measures must only be taken by the United Nations.

Libyan anti-government forces, inspired by revolutions that toppled authoritarian rulers in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, are fighting to drive Gaddafi out of power after more than 41 years of despotic rule.