TRIPOLI: The South African President, Jacob Zuma, has accused NATO of pursuing regime change and political assassinations in Libya instead of sticking to a United Nations resolution to protect civilians.

Mr Zuma told South Africa's parliament that NATO had overstepped Resolution 1973, which was passed to avert a massacre in Benghazi in March.

Paper propaganda ... a rebel holds a flyer dropped by NATO aircraft that warns Gaddafi troops to stop fighting "or when you see this helicopter it will be too late". Credit:AP/Hassan Ammar

''We have spoken out against the misuse of the good intentions,'' he said.

NATO leaders have repeatedly called for the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, to go although they have ruled out a land invasion or occupation.