Nato launches intensive air raids on Tripoli

Tripoli - Nato warplanes on Saturday launched intensive air raids on Tripoli and its eastern suburbs, where several explosions were heard, an AFP reporter and witnesses said.

Two powerful but distant blasts were felt in the centre of the Libyan capital at around 18:30 (16:30 GMT), followed by several others a few minutes later.

Witnesses said the explosions came from Tajura, a suburb which has often been targeted by Nato since an international coalition began military operations against Libya on March 31 to stop strongman Muammar Gaddafi attacking civilians.

Residents of Tajura, most of whom support the rebels, said they were not sure what the raids had targeted but that they could see plumes of black smoke and said aircraft were still circling over the area.