Russia warns Libya over civilians

Russia has called on Libya to stop using force against civilians and fully comply with UN resolutions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who met two envoys of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Moscow, said the answer “cannot be called negative”.

The envoys, he added, urged the rebels to show the same restraint and called on Nato to stop its bombing campaign.

Moscow has refused to accept the rebels as the legitimate power, and still has formal ties with Col Gaddafi.

After Tuesday’s meeting with the Libyan envoys, Mr Lavrov said Tripoli should withdraw armed groups from cities, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

“The main thing at the moment is to agree with terms and timeframe of a truce,” he told reporters.

On Monday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor pressed for the arrest of Colonel Gaddafi.

Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Col Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi bore the greatest responsibility for “widespread and systematic attacks” on civilians.

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New Nato air strikes in Tripoli reportedly hit the police headquarters

ICC judges must still decide whether or not to issue warrants for their arrest.

The Libyan government has already said it will ignore the announcement.

In a separate development, explosions were heard near the residence of Col Gaddafi in Tripoli early on Tuesday.

Libyan officials later took reporters to the area and showed them the buildings, which were on fire after being hit in what appeared to be Nato air strikes.

A government spokesman said one of buildings was a security services office.