ICC to probe Gaddafi over violence

		Europe
Europe Luis Moreno-Ocampo says Libyan leader and key figures to be investigated for crimes against humanity. Last Modified: 03 Mar 2011 13:02 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback
The court will investigate claims that peaceful protesters had been attacked by forces loyal to Gaddafi [EPA]  Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, and his key aides will be investigated for alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, the chief prosecutor has said. Speaking at a press conference in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Thursday, Luis Moreno-Ocampo said he would investigate claims that peaceful protesters had been attacked by forces loyal to Gaddafi. "We have identified some individuals with de facto or formal authority, who have authority over the security forces," that have clamped down on a rebellion that started on February 15, he said. "They are Muammar Gaddafi, his inner circle, including some of this sons," he said, and vowed there would be "no impunity in Libya". The prosecutor also listed individuals including the Libyan leader's head of personal security, and the head of the external security forces. He said he expected to ask judges at the court for arrest warrants within " a few months". He added that opposition forces would also be investigated. Hoda Abdel-Hamid, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Benghazi, eastern Libya, said people were likely to welcome the news and had been "wondering when accountability would be coming". She added the announcement that both sides would be held accountable was "a clear message for the opposition to try and control the number of weapons circulating in civilian areas". Source: Al Jazeera and agencies