US starts anti-Gadhafi offensive in Africa

BENGHAZI, Libya - The United States has launched a diplomatic offensive against Libya among African nations as Tripoli accused NATO of a "massacre" of 85 villagers in airstrikes in support of rebels.

US diplomats are visiting several African countries as part of efforts to urge leaders to press Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi to leave power immediately, officials in Washington said on Tuesday.

Several African states have been reluctant to call for him to step down and have criticized the NATO-led military campaign in Libya.