U.N. finds evidence of war crimes in Libya

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 5 (UPI) -- Pro- and anti-government forces likely committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during last year's war in Libya, a U.N. commission found.

NATO forces enforced a no-fly zone over Libya last year in response to attacks on civilians by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The International Criminal Court said it had evidence to suggest Gadhafi and members of his inner circle committed crimes against humanity in fighting the civilian population.

A commission of inquiry said both pro- and anti-Gadhafi forces likely committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict last year.

The commission found there were widespread acts of torture, unlawful killing and rape during the Libyan conflict. The report added that while NATO forces conducted a "highly precise campaign," there were confirmed civilian casualties inside Libyan targets that had no evidence of military utility.

"The commission was unable to draw conclusions in such instances on the basis of the information provided by NATO and recommends further investigations," the report stated.

The report said interim authorities in Libya can break away from the past by enforcing the rule of law equally though "considerable support" from the United Nations and international community is needed.