International court will investigate Nato over 'war crimes' in Libya

By Damien McElroy, The Daily Telegraph

NATO forces are to be investigated by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes during the Libyan conflict.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the court’s chief prosecutor, told the United Nations Wednesday that Nato troops would be investigated alongside rebel soldiers and regime forces for alleged breaches of the laws of war during the battle to overthrow Col Moammar Gadhafi.

As well as the original charges that Gadhafi and his close family perpetrated attacks on Libyan civilians, there are a series of complaints about the Western alliance and its allies in the National Transitional Council (NTC) under consideration.

"There are allegations of crimes committed by Nato forces, allegations of crimes committed by NTC-related forces, as well as allegations of additional crimes committed by pro-Gaddafi forces," said Mr Moreno-Ocampo. "`These allegations will be examined impartially and independently by the prosecution."