WASHINGTON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said a U.S. Predator drone launched the first strike against government targets in Libya on Saturday.
The airstrike took place in early afternoon local time, the Pentagon said without notifying the exact targets of the strike.
The raid came less than two days after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that President Barack Obama had approved the use of armed Predator drones in the military mission in Libya, and that the unmanned aerial vehicles could provide unique capabilities to the NATO forces operating in the Northern African country.
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NATO air raid hits parking lot near Gaddafi compound in central Tripoli
TRIPOLI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- A NATO air strike hit a parking lot in central Tripoli earlier Saturday, an area close to Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi's compound, said a government spokesman.
Libyan government spokesperson Mussa Ihbrahim said Saturday's "very powerful" attack killed three people. Full story
U.S. senator McCain calls for more aids for Libyan rebels
BENGHAZI, Libya, April 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator John McCain on Friday called on the international community to deliver more aids to the rebels' "National Transitional Council" (NTC) after his one-day visit to Benghazi, Libya's eastern city which has been controlled by the rebels for more than two months.
McCain met with key members of the NTC, the U.S. special envoy to Benghazi, the British military advisor, and the injured in a hospital, according to an agenda released by an aide to the senator. Fulll story
Libyan rebels take over Misrata after gov't forces' pullout: TV
TRIPOLI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Libyan rebels took over the city of Misrata, 150 km from the capital Tripoli, after the army had been ordered to retreat from the city, Al-Jazerra TV reported on Saturday.
The TV quoted rebels as saying the city is free from all soldiers loyal to embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi. There was no independent confirmation from Gaddafi's forces. Full story
Special Report: Foreign Military Intervention in Libya
