Colombia defence chief calls children who died in bombing 'machines of war'

• Diego Molano used phrase after airstrike on dissident rebels
• Comments provoke incensed calls for minister's resignation

Colombia's defence minister is facing calls to resign amid growing indignation over his callous response to the death of at least one child in a government airstrike against dissident rebels.

After reports that several minors were among the dead left by Sunday's bombing raid, Diego Molano said that any young victims were machines of war" who had been indoctrinated by the guerrillas.