Global General

Libya regrets damage to Western embassies

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-02 10:19

TRIPOLI - The Libyan government on Sunday voiced regret over the attacks by some angry Libyans on several Western embassies and diplomatic facilities here.

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said some Libyans, raging over the killing of one of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's sons by NATO airstrikes on Saturday, trashed and burned the British and Italian embassies and the US consular department.

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The UN office was also attacked, Kaim said, adding that Libya would investigate the damage and repair the buildings.

Italy condemned the attacks and accused Libya of failing to take steps to protect foreign missions, while the United States condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms." Britain announced the expulsion of the Libyan ambassador to London.

The United Nations reacted by pulling its international staff out of Tripoli.

The United States and Britain evacuated its diplomatic staff at the start of the Libya crisis, while Italy had withdrawn its diplomats weeks ago before recognizing Libyan rebels based in Benghazi.

The NATO air raids killed Gaddafi's youngest son Saif al-Arab and three grandchildren.