NATO refuses to apologize for bombing

NATO is refusing to apologize for mistakenly bombing rebel tanks in eastern Libya. The air strike pounded the rebel forces near the port city Brega, killing at least four people and forcing the rebels to retreat.

On Friday, NATO rear admiral Russell Harding claimed that the coalition forces hadn’t been told that the rebels were operating tanks, which had previously only been used by pro-government forces.

The chaos of the friendly fire incident allowed troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to advance on the small but strategic town of Ajdabiya. The town helps protect the roads that lead to opposition headquarters in Benghazi and Tobruk near the Egyptian border. Thousands of civilians and fighters reportedly raced out of Ajdabiya after hearing the news of advancing government troops, some insulting NATO as they fled.

The attack further underscored a growing frustration between rebel fighters and the international coalition. According to an opposition spokesperson, an air strike hit rebel vehicles in the same region last week, killing at least 13 people.