Libyan air strike on Benghazi kills 26

    By IANS/RIA Novosti,

    Moscow: At least 26 were killed and over 40 were wounded after forces loyal to Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi pounded the rebellious city of Benghazi Saturday, the Al Jazeera TV channel said.

    Gaddafi’s forces, in tanks and trucks, entered the rebel stronghold, and artillery and rockets bombarded its neighbourhoods. Some of the shells hit civilian areas, wounding women and children.

    The Libyan government has said it was respecting the truce it announced Friday and that rebels were raiding villages and towns to draw in the West.

    Leaders from the US, Britain, France and Arab countries are meeting in Paris Saturday to discuss ways to act on the resolution authorising “all necessary measures” to protect civilians.

    US President Barack Obama earlier warned Gaddafi that he must stop the violence or face military action.