Libya is on a long road of reconstruction and rebuilding following years of dictatorship. It is important that all the issues that affect the future of the country and which stand as a concern to the people of Libya are addressed and resolved. Without such an approach, Libya would remain trapped in bitterness and conflict.
One of the most important areas that needs to be addressed is the conduct of Nato forces during the fight to topple Muammar Gaddafi. Although Nato had received a green light from the world community and the United Nations to back the revolutionaries militarily in their fight against Gaddafi's forces, not all the actions carried out by Nato were within the parameters set by the UN.
Many Libyan civilians fell victim to the aerial bombing campaign carried out by Nato last year. According to Amnesty International, dozens of civilians died in the Nato air raids, and hence, there is a need to conduct an investigation into the matter.
"Adequate investigations must be carried out and full reparations provided to victims and their families," Amnesty International said in a statement. The organisation has also said that it has documents of 55 cases, including 16 children and 14 women, all of whom had been killed in the air strikes.
There is no question that Nato needs to be held responsible given the crucial role it played in bringing down the regime of Gaddafi. It was the military backing offered to the Libyan rebels that was the decisive turning point in the clashes and Nato, therefore, should also take on the responsibility of matters that had gone wrong.
Hence, it is high time that the case of civilians killed in Nato bombings comes to a close once and for all.
