Deadly NATO raid rocks Tripoli

At around 1 am local time five powerful blasts were heard in the sector around embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi8217;s Bab al-Aziziya residence,preceded by a whistling noise and the formation of red balls in the sky,a witness said.

Half an hour,later strikes were continuing,with the sound of warplanes roaring overhead and about 15 explosions in the pre-dawn raid,the most intense strike since the start of NATO operations against his regime.

Yesterday,Washington urged Gaddafi to leave Libya as its most senior envoy to date held talks in the rebel capital and the West decided to send strike helicopters into the battle against his regime.

In another boost to forces fighting to oust the strongman,France said it would provide helicopters for NATO8217;s air campaign along with Britain,and the EU widened sanctions against Gaddafi8217;s forces.