NATO strike hits near Gaddafi's compound

TRIPOLI (AP):

A NATO air strike hit an area near Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's compound in the capital again yesterday, as military leaders voiced concerns about sustaining the operations if the alliance mission drags on.

A column of grey smoke could be seen rising from the area around Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound shortly before dawn Tuesday. The concussion from the blast was felt at a hotel where journalists stay in the capital.

It was not clear what was targeted, and Libyan officials didn't immediately comment.

More air strikes

East of the capital, alliance aircraft have begun dropping leaflets warning government troops to abandon their posts outside Zlitan, which lies just west of the rebel-held port city of Misrata.

Rebel forces have been advancing along the Mediterranean coast toward Zlitan, but say they have been instructed by NATO to withdraw ahead of expected bombing runs to old front lines in Dafniya.

The 3" x 5" leaflets intended for forces loyal to Gaddafi carry the NATO symbol and a picture of an Apache attack helicopter and burning tanks on one side. Green Arabic writing warns: "There's no place to hide. It's not too late to stop fighting. If you continue to threaten civilians, you will face destruction." The message on the reverse urges soldiers to "stop and stay away from fighting now."