Tripoli, Libya under siege by NATO forces as Gadhafi regime crumbles

Tripoli, Libya has been hit by at least 20 successive airstrikes by NATO aircraft on Tuesday, the heaviest aerial attack so far mounted against Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold.

Col. Gadhafi's compound in Tripoli, Libya was not directly targeted but areas close to it were hit and fire and smoke were seen shortly after the 30-minute barrage was over.

A statement by NATO said that a vehicle depot used in "conducting attacks on civilians" was among the targets in Tuesday's attack. Libyan spokesman Moussa Ibrahim meanwhile said facilities used by Libyan army volunteers were also damaged. Three people were killed and 150 injured by the attack according to Ibrahim.

Loud explosions were heard and city buildings were shaking as NATO airplanes flew low to shoot rockets and drop their bombs.

As bombs rained down on Tripoli, Libya, supporters of Col. Gadhafi fired guns and shouted pro-regime chants in defiance of the airstrikes.

NATO aerial bombardment began March 19 and was authorized under a United Nations resolution designed to stop the atrocities against civilians and rebels by the Gadhafi regime.

Tripoli, Libya remained is still largely in control of pro-Gadhafi forces even as pockets of resistance have fought pro-regime forces. Libyan rebel forces have so far been unable to capitalize on the damage inflicted by the NATO attacks on the capital to push their offensive westward into Tripoli.

Meanwhile, a U.S. envoy met with rebel leaders in Benghazi to discuss the opening of a representative office in Washington, D.C.

To further weaken Gadhafi's forces, NATO commander in Libya Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said NATO will continue to strike pro-Gadhafi targets and forces including those based in Tripoli, Libya.