NATO warns civilians in Libya, two photographers killed

MISRATA (Libya), Apr 21 (AFP): NATO warned civilians to stand clear of its bombing blitz on Moammer Gaddafi's troops, as Libyan rebels called for "major" air strikes and two top photographers were killed in besieged Misrata. NATO's warning came as Libyan official media reported seven civilians killed and 18 wounded in an alliance air raid that targeted the southwestern Tripoli suburb of Khellat Al-Ferjan late Wednesday. "Our planners and pilots go to very great lengths to ensure we do all we can to reduce the risk to civilians when we attack targets, but the risk cannot be reduced to zero," the general in charge of NATO's operations said in a statement from Brussels. "Civilians can assist NATO by distancing themselves from Kadhafi regime forces and equipment whenever possible," Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard said. "Doing this will allow NATO to strike those forces and equipment with greater success and with the minimum risk to civilians," the statement said. In Paris, Libyan rebel leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the insurgents expect "major strikes by the coalition" against Kadhafi's forces. "We are sure that Kadhafi will be overthrown sooner or later, but we want it to be as soon as possible," Jalil told French TV Wednesday after meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Asked whether the conflict would be won by force or negotiation, Jalil told France 24: "We expect there to be major strikes by the coalition, then Libyans can reach a solution." "The longer he stays the more blood will be spilled," said Jalil, who heads Libya's Transitional National Council (TNC). In the besieged rebel-held city of Misrata, two photojournalists were killed including Tim Hetherington, an Oscar-nominated British film director and war photographer. Vanity Fair, for which Hetherington was a contributing photographer, confirmed the death of the 41-year-old who covered numerous conflicts and won the 2007 World Press Photo Award for his coverage of US soldiers in Afghanistan. Chris Hondros, also 41, suffered grave head injuries in the same mortar attack, said medics in the western port city, and died hours later from his wounds, Getty Images confirmed to AFP.