NATO Denies Gadhafi 'Suicide Plan' to Destroy Tripoli

A Russian envoy's warning that the Libyan leader will blow up the capital if rebels take control is brushed aside by NATO brass.

The Canadian commander of NATO's mission in Libya said he had no knowledge of reports that Moammar Gadhafi intends to flatten Tripoli with missiles if rebels take control of the capital. Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said he's aware that Gadhafi's forces have been instructed to destroy oil facilities and key infrastructure while retreating as part of a “scorched-earth” policy that will make it more difficult for rebels to advance. However, Bouchard said he hadn't heard anything of Gadhafi's “suicide plan” for Tripoli, which was first brought up by the Russian envoy to Libya, Mikhail Margelov. The diplomat said he was informed of the plan by Libya's prime minister, Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi, when they met in June.