Brazil criticizes bombing of Gaddafi residence

Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Patriota on Wednesday criticized the bombings carried out by forces under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against private residence of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In a hearing before the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate, Patriota said the attacks showed a “questionable legitimacy” in relation to the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, which approved measures aimed at protecting the civilian population in the conflict-torn Middle Eastern country.

NATO warplanes bombed Gaddafi’s residence early Monday morning, destroying the compound and wounding dozens of people.

Such attacks represent a deviation from the original motivations to an attempt to overthrow the Libyan government, he said, adding that he hopes further military actions in Libya will be more aligned with the definitions of the ruling by the Security Council.

Brazil abstained from voting on the resolution adopted in the UN. on March 17 that established a no-fly zone and authorized to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya.

Highlighting the new problems associated with the expansion of the crisis to other countries in the region, Patriota also called for a new treatment concerning civilians seeking refuge in countries like Italy and France based on the sole principles of “humanity and spirit of tolerance.”