noworldsystem.com

CUBA and Nicaragua have sprung to the defence of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, with Fidel Castro claiming Washington plans to order a NATO invasion of Libya to seize oil interests.

“To me, it’s absolutely clear that the Government of the United States is not interested in peace in Libya,” said the 84-year old former Cuban leader, who still heads the Cuban Communist Party.

Washington, he said, “will not hesitate to give the order for NATO to invade that rich country, perhaps in the coming hours or days.”

There has been no immediate reaction to turmoil in Libya from Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, Mr Gaddafi’s closest ally in the region.

But Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega defended his friend, saying he had spoken with Mr Gaddafi, who is “waging a great battle … and in these circumstances is trying to dialogue, and defend the integrity of the nation so that it does not break up, and so that there is no anarchy.