Italy on alert after Gaddafi threat

Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/177770.html

Italy has stepped up security measures after Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi threatened to take war to Italian territories a day after his son was killed in a NATO attack.

"Gaddafi's words confirm that the situation is very serious and must be closely monitored across the entire territory. We have already increased controls and are aware that several thousands of Libyans were sent here in recent years by the regime," Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Sunday.

Earlier, Gaddafi said that Libyans want to take war into Italy in response to the European country's involvement in recent air attacks on Libya, reiterating he cannot resist his people's demand, Xinhua reported.

"Between us and Italy war has been opened. My friend Silvio Berlusconi committed a crime by permitting the Italian bombings. This is an attempt for a new Italian colonialism," Gaddafi said.

On Saturday, NATO warplanes bombarded Gaddafi's headquarters of Bab al-Aziziya, killing the ruler's son Saif al-Arab and three of his grandchildren.

The military alliance announced they attacked Gaddafi's command and control base and their target was “military in nature.”

The death of Gaddafi's son spawned outrage from the crowds who then attacked UK and Italian embassies in Tripoli, burning down the British mission building.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly slammed the Western military alliance for carrying out military operations in Libya.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said that Libya's vast oil reserves are the main objective behind NATO's strikes in the African country.

Head of Russia's State Duma international committee Konstantin Kosachyov has condemned the deadly attack on Gaddafi's family members, saying NATO is acting outside the UN resolution which mandated only the protection of civilians against the Gaddafi regime