America and Britain have rained missiles on Libya, causing substantial damage, as US President Barack Obama accused the country's leader Muammar Gaddafi of being a "tyrant" who promised his own people there would be "no mercy."

The attacks, launched in support of an uprising that seemed on the verge of defeat, were called barbaric by Libyan officials. State television claimed 48 people were killed and 150 were wounded during the offensive.

A ceasefire was announced this morning.

Saif al-Islam, son of Gaddafi, said the situation was a "misunderstanding" and that the opposition rebels were "gangsters" and "terrorists".

He told ABC's This Week "the whole country is united against the armed militia and the terrorists.

Were the allied forces right to attack Libya? Send us Your Views

  1. your views
  2. Arvind Harakh says
    "Why didn't they go to Rwanda or Zimbabwe? Just because there is no oil in these countries."
  3. Joolz62 says
    "The Libyans fighting him are not professional soldiers and they simply can't do it alone."
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