Tripoli, June 16 (AP) NATO today pounded the area near Muammar Gaddafi's compound during a pre-dawn raid in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
A series of thunderous booms rumbled in quick succession shortly before 5 a.m., rattling windows in the heart of the city. A column of smoke could be seen rising from the vicinity of the Libyan leader's Bab al-Aziziya compound as sirens from emergency vehicles blared through the streets.
It was not clear what was hit, and there was no word on casualties. Government officials did not immediately comment on the strike.
NATO warplanes have repeatedly targeted the area in and around the compound. Rallies in support of the leader and his more than four-decade rule are held there nightly.
The alliance launched its air campaign nearly three months ago under a United Nations resolution to protect civilians.