New York Times: Qaddafi Is Using Cluster Bombs Against Civilians
C.J. Chivers at The New York Times is reporting that Col. Muammar Qaddafi's forces are attacking civilian neighborhoods in Misurata with cluster bombs and rocket launchers. The use of cluster bombs is particularly malicious given that the weapon isn't designed to hit specific targets but rather spread a barrage of "high-explosive bomblets" across a large area. The Times quotes Steve Goose at Human Rights Watch who says the use of these weapons is "unconscionable" because it poses "unacceptable dangers to civilians." Chivers notes that this could affect NATO's mission in Libya, given its mandate for civilian protection. The below video shows examples of cluster bombs exploding and discusses the severity of the weapons from the perspective of Human Rights Watch:
