The religious leaders of Sirte (Libya) have issued a fatwa authorizing the surviving residents to eat dogs and cats.

About one month ago some 3 000 soldiers and 80 000 civilians were trapped in the city, besieged by the forces of the National Transitional Council, overseen by officers of the International Coalition, and bombed by NATO.

Sirte no longer receives food supplies. Electricity and water are cut off. Hospitals stopped functioning. The city is in ruins.

Only 10 000-20 000 people managed to get away during bombing lulls and escape death.

NATO claims that its intervention in Libya serves to protect the civilian population and that it will continue its work until the surrender or death of Muammar Gaddafi. And yet, NATO’s siege and bombardments constitute war crimes according to the standards and principles of international law, considering that the civilian population is the principal victim.

This drama is being ignored both by the media and the political leaders of the NATO zone, including the French who are too engrossed in their presidential election campaigns. A silence that makes them all accomplices.