Missile Destroys Libya Dictator Gaddafi Compound

Western journalists were taken by Libyan officials to Gaddafi's compound and were shown a ruined three or four-story building. Photo by EPA/BGNES

A missile strike on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's compound in the capital Tripoli has destroyed a building which coalition officials say was a command center, BBC reports.

A representative of the coalition countries, who asked not to be named, told journalists the strike destroyed Gaddafi's "command and control capability".

Western journalists were taken by Libyan officials to the compound and were shown a ruined three or four-story building. The officials told reporters the building had been bombed by the allied forces. It is just 50 meters away from Gaddafi's famous tent where he used to accept guests.

It is not clear if there had been any casualties in the building's bombing, which came as the coalition of the US, UK and France continue strikes to enforce a UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya.

US officials say the air strikes are aimed at the Colonel's armed forces and air defense systems, not at Gaddafi himself.

Sunday night anti-aircraft fire rose over Tripoli and several explosions were heard. A BBC reporter saw a column of smoke rising from the direction of Bab al-Aziziya, wherel Gaddafi has his military base and compound.

The Pentagon's Navy Vice Admiral, William Gortney, is quoted saying the military action, which began on Saturday, had been "very effective in significantly degrading the regime's air defense capability".

Cortney informed ground forces moving on rebel positions were also open to attack, but neither Gaddafi nor his residence would be targeted.

Meanwhile, heavy gunfire and sporadic explosions were heard in the streets of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi on Sunday night with pro-Gaddafi fighters opening fire from cars in the city, according to unconfirmed local witness reports.

Gaddafi has been fighting a uprising that broke out last month.

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