Geo World

NATO warplanes bomb Tripoli

Updated at: 0933 PST,  Tuesday, May 17, 2011  TRIPOLI: NATO-led warplanes have once again carried out air strikes on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, pounding the eastern parts of the troubled city. Libyan media say a radar station in the heart of a residential area was destroyed in the air raid. The media also quoted a military source as saying that civilian and military sites in the Tajura area have been targeted, resulting in civilian and military losses. This comes as local witnesses say they have heard three loud explosions and blasts further to the east of the city. NATO has conducted hundreds of strike sorties on Libya since it assumed control of a military campaign to impose a no-fly zone over the country and save civilian lives in late March. Britain's defense secretary Liam Fox said on Monday that NATO and its allies are prepared for a lengthy continuation of their air campaign in the North African country. Fox emphasized that the Western alliance would continue to bomb Libya until Colonel Muammar Gaddafi recognizes the game is over. The NATO and US have unleashed a punishing, UN-mandated offensive against Gaddafi to pressure him into giving up power. But dozens of civilians have so far been killed in NATO air strikes. Libya has been the scene of fierce fighting between Pro-Gaddafi troops and anti-regime forces since mid-February. Revolutionary forces want an end to Gaddafi's decades-long rule.