20110501
reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Rebel chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said on Sunday he felt "pain and sorrow" even for Muammar Gaddafi's family following a NATO air strike on his house in Tripoli, but blamed the Libyan leader for the violence.

Gaddafi survived the air attacke on the dwelling but his youngest son, Saif al-Arab, and three grandchildren were killed, according to a government spokesman.

Abdel Jalil, speaking in comments broadcast on the Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel, also offered amnesty to Gaddafi supporters who abandon the Libyan leader and join the rebels.

"We feel pain and sorrow for any bloodshed, even when Gaddafi's house was bombed last night. We feel pain for any blood that is shed unjustly," Abdel Jalil said.

"But the blood of Gaddafi's sons is not more precious than the blood of Libyan men and women," he added.

Abdel Jalil said Gaddafi was to blame for the civil war.

"He bombed our cities and villages with rocket launchers and planes. He shed blood and killed children ...," he said.

Abdel Jalil urged Gaddafi supporters to join the rebels.

"You must abandon him and you will live with us in peace and security. Anyone who abandons Muammar Gaddafi in these moments will have peace and security for him and his family and will live with us in prosperity in the future."