Havana: Fidel Castro claimed on Tuesday the United States was about to order NATO to invade Libya to control its oil interests and questioned reports of a brutal crackdown by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, a longtime Cuban ally.
"To me it's absolutely clear that the government of the United States is not interested in peace in Libya," the 84-year old former Cuban leader claimed in an article written for official state media.
Washington, he said: "will not hesitate to give the order for NATO to invade that rich country, perhaps in the coming hours or days."
Castro also wrote ‘we will have to wait’ to see the ‘truth or lies’ behind reports of a bloody repression of protesters, who have taken to the streets in recent days in opposition to Kadhafi.
Human rights groups and Arab media groups have put the death toll at between 200 and 400 killed, accusing Libyan soldiers and mercenaries using live fire against demonstrators.
"It will take time to know with certainty whether the reports can be verified," said Castro, who last visited Tripoli on an official visit in May 2001.
The pair have had good relations for decades, with Kadhafi sending a message of support after Castro fell ill in 2006 and handed power to his brother Raul.
Castro also said he "could not imagine the Libyan leader abandoning his country and his responsibilities," in response to erroneous reports on Monday that Kadhafi had fled to Venezuela.
Libya was confronting a growing diplomatic backlash against the crackdown on protesters Tuesday, denouncing charges it was carrying out massacres.
The UN's top rights official meanwhile said war crimes may have been committed as the UN Security Council discussed the turmoil in Libya, where Kadhafi has ruled practically unchallenged since coming to power in 1969.