International Criminal Court to investigate NATO for possible Libya war crimes

Chief prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo told the UN that NATO would be investigated as well as rebel actions in addition to Gadaffi's troops for breaches of the laws of war during the battle that overthrew Gadaffi. There have been complaints about NATO bombings as well as actions of rebels brought before the court.

Moreno-OCampo said:"There are allegations of crimes committed by Nato forces, allegations of crimes committed by NTC-related forces ... as well as allegations of additional crimes committed by pro-Gaddafi forces,""`These allegations will be examined impartially and independently by the prosecution." Among the complaints, the Gaddafi regime alleged that 85 civilians were killed in a Nato air strike near the front line town of Ziltan.

There have also been reports of a number of sites in Sirte where bodies were found that showed signs of execution. There is no mention of charging the person who is alleged to have shot Gadaffi and killed him while he was captured but still alive. With respect to investigation of war crimes by NATO probably little if anything will be done. No doubt NATO and the U.S. which refuses to recognise the ICC except to help send people there will be offended even by the suggestion that NATO could have committed war crimes.

This is not the first time NATO has been accused of war crimes. There were many accusations that war crimes were committed by NATO during the bombing of Serbia. See this article. I quote:

""Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, specifically cites NATO's use of cluster bombs, and also the deliberate targeting of facilities used by civilians. Though an investigation was carried out, Tribunal prosecutor Carla Del PonteCarla Del Ponte said there was "no formal inquiry into the actions of NATO during the conflict in Kosovo."

Probably the ICC will not even get that far this time. Attempting to prosecute any of the rebels will also be difficult if not impossible.