Tripoli Hit With More Air Strikes
July 23, 2011
NATO warplanes have bombed targets in the center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
AP says explosions could be heard coming from near the compound of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
A Reuters witness said there were at least six blasts, adding they were the largest to the hit the capital in several weeks.
No word yet on casualties nor damages.
The military action comes after a spokesman for Qaddafi's government said they were open to more talks with U.S. officials.
Spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said senior Libyan officials had a "productive dialogue" with U.S. counterparts last week, and that more such meetings will help resolve the Libyan crisis.
Washington recently recognized the rebel National Transitional Council as the legitimate interim government of Libya and called on Qaddafi to step down.
Reuters, meanwhile, quotes a European diplomat as saying the special UN envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, will try to convince the two sides to agree to a plan that includes a ceasefire and a power-sharing government, but with no role for Qaddafi.
Meanwhile, Washington said it was looking into reports that weapons allegedly destined for Qaddafi had docked in Algeria, in what could be a violation of UN resolutions.
A State Department official told Reuters "these weapons are currently being transported overland into neighboring Libya."
The United States called on Algeria to stop the weapons from reaching Qaddafi's forces.
compiled from agency reports
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