Gaddafi 'ordered rape attacks'

Libya dictator Muammar Gaddafi has told his troops to rape female opponents - with evidence existing of the regime acquiring Viagra-type drugs to assist them, it has been reported.

The allegations come from International Criminal Court investigators who say they have evidence linking the leader to the policy and may bring charges on the issue.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo requested arrest warrants on May 16 against Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country's spy chief on charges of crimes against humanity committed in their bid to crush the country's rebellion.

The allegation of troops raping female opponents is not new.

But evidence linking Gaddafi to the policy is.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo told the Reuters news agency previously the question was whether he could be associated with the rapes "or is it something that happened in the barracks?".

He said that evidence had emerged of Gaddafi authorising the crimes "and this is new".

He went on: "It never was the pattern he used to control the population. The rape is a new aspect of the repression.

"Apparently, he decided to punish using rapes."

Mr Moreno-Ocampo's investigative team had found "some elements" confirming the purchase of "Viagra type of medicaments," Reuters reported.

He said there was evidence of Libya acquiring "containers" of such drugs "to enhance the possibility to rape women."

There were thought to be several hundred victims in some areas, the investigator added.