Nato has carried out its heaviest air strikes against Libya's capital in more than two months of bombing, amid upbeat comments from France and the United States on progress towards ending Muammar Gadafy's rule.
Six loud explosions rocked Tripoli late last night within 10 minutes, following powerful strikes 24 hours earlier, including one on Col Gadafy's compound, that Libyan officials said killed 19 people and state television blamed on "colonialist crusaders".
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday that the Nato bombing campaign was making progress and should achieve its objectives within months. An alliance official said Tuesday's early strike was "the most concentrated to date".
France, Britain and the United States are leading the air strikes, which started on March 19th after the UN Security Council authorised "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from Col Gadafy's forces as he sought to crush an uprising against his 41-year rule.
The three countries say they will keep up the campaign until Col Gadafy leaves power.
Speaking in London today, US president Barack Obama said allied leaders have not set an "artificial" date for completing military operations in Libya, and said the United States will not commit troops on the ground in the North African country.
"We are bringing to bear an array of air power that has made a huge difference, but ultimately this is going to be a slow, steady process in which we're able to wear down the regime forces," Mr Obama added.
Elsewhere, South African president Jacob Zuma will visit Tripoli next week for talks with Col Gadafy, the presidency said in a statement today.
Johannesburg-based Talk Radio 702 earlier reported that the aim of the visit was to discuss an exit strategy for Col Gadafy, but the presidency statement made no mention of that.
The South African president headed an African Union mission to Tripoli in April, but the AU bid to halt the civil war collapsed within hours.
A South African government official said the aim of the latest effort from the AU was "to seek a breakthrough".
Last week, South Africa accused Libya of misleading it over the fate of a South African photographer now believed to be dead after being shot and abandoned in the desert by forces loyal to Col Gadafy.
South Africa's ruling African National Congress said it was incensed by the use of deadly force against civilians and journalists and accused Libya of dishonesty.
Reuters