The funeral of Gaddafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren was held this afternoon. Russian Foreign Ministry criticises NATO for using disproportionate force, harming the population. It says the alliance is violating UN resolution. In Tripoli, the embassies of Italy and Great Britain and UN offices are set on fire.

Tripoli (AsiaNews) – Mgr Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Tripoli, took part in the funeral of Gaddafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren. The three-hour ceremony was held this afternoon. The prelate did not release any statement, but yesterday confirmed the death of members of Gaddafi’s family in a NATO airstrike against the Libyan leader’s personal Bab al-Azizia military compound. In the meantime, Russia criticised NATO bombing for causing civilian casualties. According to Moscow, the alliance is using disproportionate force and going beyond the terms of Resolution 1973.

"The disproportional use of force, all the more so, beyond the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1973, which in no way stipulates the replacement of the Libyan leadership, is leading to harmful consequences and the death of civilians," a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

“We are again calling for strict compliance with the provisions of the decisions made by the international community on the Libyan conflict, for an immediate ceasefire and the start of a political settlement without any preconditions," the statement added.

Despite accusations, the commander of NATO operations in Libya, Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, said that the alliance does not target civilians, and that recent operations were aimed at command and control centres that threaten the civilian population.

Also yesterday, in Tripoli mobs attacked the embassies of Italy and Great Britain as well as the UN offices in reprisal for the death of members of Gaddafi’s family.

For security reasons, Turkey also evacuated its diplomatic mission.

• libya
• tripoli
• martinelli
• russia
• nato
• embassies
• funeral
• son
• grandchildren