NATO Airstrike Targets Gadhafi Compound

A NATO airstrike in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has destroyed a building in the complex where leader Moammar Gadhafi lives.

At least two large guided bombs rocked Mr. Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound Monday. NATO says it targeted a communications headquarters used to coordinate attacks against civilians.

Libyan officials, however, say the strike was an attempt to assassinate Mr. Gadhafi. Authorities say the bombed building was used for ministerial gatherings and other meetings.

Reporters have been unable to verify casualties. A Libyan government spokesman says the strike killed three people and wounded 45, but that Mr. Gadhafi remains alive. The Libyan leader's whereabouts at the time of the raid are not clear.

Mr. Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam, said NATO is fighting a losing battle in Libya since it is backed by traitors, agents and spies. He said the bombing will only scare children.

Also Monday, Italy said for the first time it would begin bombing select military targets in Libya. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he told U.S. President Barack Obama about the decision and would call other European leaders to personally inform them as well.

Italy had previously said it would not participate in airstrikes against its former colony. The two countries have close economic ties and Rome had been one of Mr. Gadhafi's closest European allies until his violent suppression of an uprising prompted the U.N. Security Council to authorize the use of force to protect civilians.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will hold talks on the Libyan conflict in Washington Tuesday with his British counterpart, Liam Fox.

The Financial Times, quoting a senior British official, says one agenda item will be whether action can be taken to cut fuel supplies to the Libyan leader's armed forces on the ground.

Monday's NATO attack came as fighting continued in ! the west ern rebel-held city of Misrata.

Loyalist troops unleashed a barrage of rockets on the city Sunday, despite a government claim that it had halted operations against rebel fighters there.

Heavy shelling and gunfire in Misrata have left hundreds dead in two months of a bloody government siege. Doctors say at least 42 people have been killed in fighting since Saturday.

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim had said on Sunday that troops halted their offensive in Misrata so that tribal elders could negotiate with the rebels.