>> this is "bbc world news." funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank.çó union bank has put its global expertise to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you?

>> and now, "bbc world news." >> colonel gaddafi has been accused by the chief prosecutor at the international criminal court of using rape as a weapon of war. stepping up the pressure on syria as hundreds flee the country. britain and france push for a new u.n. security council resolution condemning the suppression of protest. and u.s. lawmakers fear an economy will collapse when forces leave in 2014. welcome to our viewers on pbs and around the globe. coming up, a potent symbol of power, china's first aircraft carrier takes to the seas. four more could be on the way.

hello and welcome. the chief anchor at the international criminal court has said he's becoming more convinced that colonel gaddafi is using rape as a weapon against rebels. luis moreno-0 campo said he has received evidence that shows colonel gaddafi even gives his soldiers viagra the trook moved forward to the south, east, and west and sustained heavy casualties as gaddafi's forces fought back. >> to shouts of "god is great," rebels in misrata start to fight back against gaddafi's forces. "we're on the front line now. we don't need any help because we're ready to defeat gaddafi and his supporters and his this the heaviest fighting around the city since gaddafi loyalists were beaten here in

april. at local hospitals, more casualties are rushed in. this doctor says so far his hospital alone has received 11 dead and more than 30 with serious injuries. they expect many more as the fighting continues. meanwhile, colonel gaddafi was facing u.n. allegations of abuse from this man. >> we had doubts in the beginning, but now we're more convinced that he decided to punish using rape which is really something very bad, beyond the limits, i would say. also we are finding some elements confirming this issue of acquisition of viagra type of medicament to assure the policy. they were buying containers withñi products to enhance the possibility to rape women. >> and elsewhere the pressure on colonel gaddafi continues to mount.

there have been more air strikes on tripoli this week. nato won't let up. meeting in brussels on wednesday, some ministers want more countries to get involved. >> what we've been trying to say today is that there are other countries that have assets which we could be using, not necessarily ground attack but in support and recons. -- reconnaissance. >> but these attacks on misrata suggest he may be fighting back and the battle for this city and libya is far from over. daniel griffith, bbc news. >> let's discuss further the i.c.c. suggestion that rape is being used as a weapon be war. lucinda marshall of the feminist peace network joins us now. what do you make of this suggestion that colonel gaddafi may even be giving viagra to his supporters? >> well, that is indeed something to be considerably worried about and is a

troubling new way of attacking women, and, you know, you need to understand that rape has been a weapon of war really since time immemorandum arl -- immemorial and it's only recently with the creation of the international criminal court that rape has in fact been classified as a war crime. and it's very significant that mr. moreno-0 campo is actively investigating these allegations, particularly regarding the use of viagra, which is very troubling. specifically the thing that comes to my mind is railroad -- where is this viagra coming from? how are they getting these drugs if they are in fact being used? >> and the fact that the international criminal court is now looking into this, you suggest that rape has in different conflicts been used as a weapon of war. this isn't something new. but the fact that this international body is now

treating it as a crime, you think this is putting meanwhile, -- women in a better position? >> absolutely. i think it's significant and something we're going to have to watch how this plays out because libya does not in fact recognize the international criminal court so it's going to be interesting to see whether they in fact are obble gaited to fall under that jurisdiction. -- obble -- obligated to fall under that jurisdiction. but the key thing to monitor is what is happening to women in libya because it's quite obvious women are being targeted specifically and in order to address that crime they need to be part of resolving the conflict as a whole and i think that the i.c.c. participation in this and the possibility of criminal prosecution really opens up the door for that to indeed hamilton >> ok. lucinda marshall of the feminist peace network in the

united states. we've run out of time there but thank you for your thoughts. britain and france have presented a revised draft resolution to the united nations security council calling for an immediate end to the violence in syria and lifting the siege of several cities. in the north of the country, hundreds of residents are pouring across the turkish border. they fear the government is about to unleash a revenge attack on the town of jisr al-shughour. >> these pictures, impossible to verify, seem to show people on the streets of jisr al-shughour last night. they're waving olive branches, calling on the syrian army to stay outside the town. these people fear imminent attack ar the reported killing of up to 120 security forces in the area on monday. the syrian government has been broadcasting pictures of the alleged massacre, most too graphic for us to show but they do reveal dozens of bodies in

uniform lying along this blood-stained road. the victims are being called martyrs by the regime. but opposition groups claim they were shot by their own side as deserters. whatever the truth, it seems clear military reinforcements have been flooding into the area. >> the town is almost empty. the residents have fled. the town is like a ghost town. reinforcement barracks tanks are just about seven kilometers outside town and people are expecting the worst to happen. >> amidst the -- and it's the scale of the killing of civilians which has prompted international anger. with more reports of victims being shot by security forces. reports are that bashir and his

regime have decided to stop at almost nothing to hold on to power and that without it they have no future. the son is following the example of his father, who killed at least 10,000 people in a single town, hama. bright -- britain and france are trying to win support for a resolution which con dements latest repression. it does not promise intervention. >> the repression is getting worse and the massacres are on the rise. it is inconceivable that the united nations remain silent on such a matter. >> and each day now, hundreds more syrians are fleeing their country, many into neighboring turkey as the crisis worsens the james robins, bbc news. >> our correspondent in the united nations looks at the resolution's text and the concerns of other council members. >> negotiations on the text

begins today, thursday, and in essence what the resolution says is it condemns the system atic vilition of -- violation of human rights in syria and urges countries to exercise vigilance in preventing the sale of arms to syria. it doesn't impose an embargo or authorize any concrete members but this is the most the council members might be able to agree on because there are six council members who are quite reluctant mostly because they feel this is the first step toward a libya style military intervention and they don't feel that is going very well at all and don't want to repeat it. they've added language adding that any change must be a syrian-led process but that still might not be enough to after the veto-holding powers, china and especially russia,

both of think oppose any intervention in syria on the grounds that it could destabilize the country and of course russia is a close ally and arms supplier to syria. they seem to be determined to push t coming days. both britain and france have said that the council cannot remain silent but must speak out in the light of the worsening violence. >> now, protesters have gathered in the yemeni capital of san awe -- sanaa to demand an interim government. the president is being treated in hospital in saudi arabia for injuries sustained in an explosion during an attack on his palace last week. the man seen as al qaeda's second in command has warned that the united states faces a muslim rebellion following the death of bin laden. in a video posted on youtube he

says the former leader terrified america during his lifetime and will continue to do so in death. bin laden was killed in a raid by u.s.çó special forces in pakistan last month. an influential committee of american senators is warning afghanistan risks sliding into economic depression when foreign troops withdraw in 2014, saying taffering -- afghanistan has become almost entirely dependent on foreign aid. >> well, essentially what the report does is the report makes an allegation that the u.s. is wasting money in afghanistan and we're talking about billions and billions of dollars. the report says that there is high impact development programs that the u.s. has been carrying out in afghanistan are not achieving their goals, that

they are fueling corruption, badly planned, badly implemented, that they are dependent on foreign aid and not contributing to any sort of significant development of the country and quite the opposite, in fact, it's a very strong criticism that basically says that this money that the u.s. is spending is doing no good, neither to afghanistan nor america's national security interests overall. and i think what's very significant is the fact that it calls into question the veriesumption that underlies the counterterrorism, counterinsurgencyy policy, that you can win hearts and minds by pouring lots of money into the development projects. well, senators now are saying no, you can't. >> so what kind of impact do you think that this report will have? >> well, the timing of it is certainly very significant because right now obama's

national security team is discussion the terms and timing of the withdrawal of the u.s. troops from afghanistan and we still don't know highway and when it will all happen. but -- or how many soldiers will be brought home -- but it certainly, we're waiting for that announcement, but it's certainly on everybody's mind. and i think in a way this report will take the whole afghanistan debate to a different level because this is going to be not just about we've got to bring our boys home, this is also going to be about why are we spending all this money on something that doesn't work at a time of a real economic crisis, at a time when these $10 billion a month can be used in a high -- in ohio and delaware and kentucky and so on. i think these questions will be raised. what makes this report even more significant is the fact that john kerry, senator john kerry, who is a big supporter of president obama and his

policies is the one asking these questions and the fact that such a backer of president obama is now behind such strong criticism will certainly not go udge -- unnoticed. >> the latest on that report from washington for us. you're watching bbc news. still ahead, china's not-so-secret weapon. the first aircraft carrier set to launch the military big time. the e.u. has increased toñi 210 million euros its cover -- offer ever compensation to farmers who have lost income due to an outbreak of week -- e. coli. it had initially uniformed 150 million. the outbreak has left at least 26 dead. >> this clinic in hamburg is one of the big hospitals at the epicenter of the outbreak. for nearly three weeks there's

been a wave of new patients, some very sick with kidney failure, all on top of their normal workload. they normally only have to do specialist trae treat -- treat ments in this hospital 50 times a year. they've now had 200 because of this outbreak. machines and supplies have had to be brought from all over germany. the hospital is working flat out. >> i think it was a very difficult thing to handle for the authorities because it's a new bacteria which has very special properties and therefore it didn't fit to any procedures they had. >> the number of new cases each day is now starting to ease, indicating the outbreak may be over the worst. but hundreds of people remain seriously ill. they may never know what the source of the germ was. twice the authorities have identified farms, and twice had

to say they were wrong. the german government is now looking at shaking up the system for next time. these hospitals were overwhelmed, but they have coped. the real question is whether it was wise to point the finger at specific farms only to clear them 24 hours later. that question lingers. bbc news, hamburg. >> this is bbc news. our main headlines, the chief prosecutor of the international criminal court says that evidence that the libyan leader colonel gaddafi may be using rape as a weapon against his opponents president. and hundreds of syrians have fled the country ahead of government forces. let's go back to the situation in libya.

we can get more on the fighting in the rebel-held western city of misrata. reports from that city that a number of libyan rebels have been killed in military operations to push back pro-gaddafi positions to the west and eat of the city and we can now speak to ab dull averbings a doctor there. he joins us on the line. just give us the latest on the situation on the violence today. >> yes. hello there. today gaddafi's forces vb launched a brutal attack from three sides on the city of misrata. on the east and on the east and in the south. the strongest attack was in the east. gaddafi's forces were using grad missile launchers as well as mortars and heavy artillery guns. the attack had gun -- begun and

started about 5:00 a.m. of tuesday and have continued until two 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., the total casualties we have, 10 dead and about 38 wounded people, most of them in serious condition. >> the wounded, have they been able to get to hospital? have you been able to treat at least some of them? >> yes, we are trying all this, actually, trying to cope with the serious conditions that we're dealing with but unfortunately we areñi lacking the necessary staff and medical equipment as usual and also the well-qualified staff to deal with the serious war injuries. >> and how are the rebels managing to sustain their positions? obviously it seems that colonel gaddafi is very keen to enforce

that he is still prominent in the air. -- area. >> yes, i believe that gaddafi's forces cannot march toward the city because apparently thear frayed from getting bombarded. this is one thing. on the other hand, the freedom fighters are standing in this positions, taking defensive positions and they are ready to defend their cities until death actually. so we believe that they are just -- that it might be his final moments. >> ok. abdullah, who is in misrata, a doctor working there, thank you for the update on the most recent fighting there. china has officially confirmed that it is building its first aircraft carrier, the centerpiece for an expanding

naval military pors but the people's liberation army insists it poses no threat to anyone. it is being constructed in the port of dalian. >> wherever you turnçó in china today are signs of soaring ambition. skyscrapers and gleaming new subway systems. superstars. and at the back of ike yea -- irea in dalian, china's worst-kept military secret. china's first aircraft carrier, almost ready to set sail. it dwarfs everything else the people's liberation army has. from high up here you get a pretty good view. it may not be the most advanced of aircraft carriers but for china it represents a significant leap forward. and for china's leaders, having one is a status symbol. it advocates china's rise as a

new great power and its -- its desire to project that power far beyond china's own borders. this is where it began live, built in the dockyards of the soviet union more than 20 yards ago. it was never completed, and as the soviet neighbory was cut up for scrap, a chinese company bought the rusking shell and brought it around the world, claiming it wanted to turn is -- it into a floating casino. instead they labored five years to turn it into the newest weapon of war. it's getting ready to be launched just as budget cuts have left britain without an aircraft carrier. an aircraft carrier is a symbol of the power of your navy. china should at least be on the same level as other members of the u.n. city council who have airiers -- carriers. it is also a symbol of

deterrence, like saying "don't mess with me, don't think you can bully me. " >> watching closely is the u.s. navy. it has 11 dare -- carriers of its own, and since the second warled where -- world war its battle fleetcenter have roamed the pacific unchallenged. china is also investing in submarines and missiles that can threaten america's ships. >> by the 2020's, china wants a military that will be globally deployable and able to challenge mesh -- american interests where they need to be challenged. >> the shift will take time. meanwhile, in a field in central china is a replica of the country's new carrier. nearby, farmers work their it's thought this facility may be used to train the ship's crews and test its systems before it puts to sea. the real vessel too will

probably be used to train up a fleet of chinese fighter pilots , for china may build up to four more aircraft carriers, because this is just the start of china's naval ambitions. bbc news, dalian the tea obrecht has won this year's prize for fiction, the youngest author ever to win the prestigious prize. our correspondent spoke to her just minutes after she picked up the award. >> we're here in the ballroom which is absolutely packed. this is one of the literary events of the year here in london. receiving congratulations is the winner, tea obrecht. were you surprised to win? >> i was. i didn't expect it. i didn't really prepare anything. i was completely flabbergasted. >> this is remarkable. why your first novel. you're just 25. you live in the united states

now but were born in belgrade. quite a start to your career the >> yes, no. such a tremendous honor and stunning to me. i'm not really even processing it fully. so thank you. >> we're standing in front of a blown-up copy of the cover of your book. it's set in what is obviously the former yugoslavia in the aftermath of the wars that broke it up. though you never actually name it but there's a lot of magical realism story-telling in it as well, isn't there? >> yes. it's set in an unnamed province. i'm from a mixed background and wanted to give a fairer picture of the essence of the war and of the people rather than the historical and journalistic perspective perhaps. magical realism plays -- and magic and fable plays into that as well. the stories that we tell become reality. >> judges were very impressed by your story-telling powers

and powers of observation. they said by skillfully spinning a series be magical tales you have managed to bring the tragedy of the balkan conflict thumping into our living rooms with a bittersweet veracity. the book is is written in english and about to be published in serbo-craot. what do you think the people there will make of it? >> it's meant a lot to me sffment severalñi people from t area have come to readings. it always means a tremendous pament -- amount to me to get their support. but above all the fact that is -- it will be translated means that my grandma who doesn't speak any english can read it. i'm so excited for that. >> tea obrecht. now our main news again. the chief prosecutor of the international criminal court says there is evidence colonel gaddafi may be using rape as a weapon against his opponents.

>> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank. ♪ union bank has put its

global expertise to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.