Franco Frattini said Wednesday that “the humanitarian end of military operations is essential to allow for immediate aid,” including areas around the opposition’s western stronghold of Misrata and around Tripoli, the Libyan capital and stronghold of Muammar Qaddafi.
The comments to a parliamentary commission were carried by Italian news agencies. He did not elaborate and there was no immediate comment from the Foreign Ministry.
Violence in Libya has spiraled into civil war. A NATO-led bombing campaign that began in March was aimed at protecting civilians under a UN resolution.
Frattini also expressed concern over civilian casualties, referring to “dramatic errors” in the bombing campaign.
“With regard to NATO, it is opportune to ask for more detailed information on results” of the attacks, he said.
Meanwhile, NATO warplanes appear to be resuming strikes on targets in the Libyan capital.
At least two explosions shook the city before noon Wednesday as fighter jets soared overhead. It wasn’t immediately clear what had been hit or if there were casualties.
A coalition including France, Britain and the United States began striking Qaddafi’s forces under a United Nations resolution to protect civilians on March 19.
NATO assumed control of the air campaign over Libya on March 31. It’s joined by a number of Arab allies.
