Benghazi, Libya - The NATO launched its most intense bombardment against the bastion of Muammar Qaddafi in Tripoli Tuesday, while a senior U.S. diplomat said the president Barack Obama has invited the rebels in Libya 'National Transition Council to open an office in Washington DC
The international community has intensified airstrikes and diplomatic efforts against the regime in an attempt to break a virtual tie with the rebels in the east and Gaddafi maintain its dominance over much of the West.
The NATO air strikes in quick succession beaten within a half hour, triggering more than 20 explosions and sending up columns of acrid smoke smell from a large area around Bab al-Gaddafi's compound in the center Aziziyah Tripoli.
Government spokesman Ibrahim Moussa, said at least three people were killed and dozens wounded in attacks on NATO to target what he described as the buildings of the volunteer units of the Libyan army.
NATO said in a statement that a number of precision guided weapons struck a vehicle storage facility near Bab al-Aziziya that has been used to supply the forces of the regime "to carry out attacks against civilians." It was not immediately clear if the facility was the only objective achieved in the barrage. Bab al-Aziziya, which includes a number of military installations, has been beaten repeatedly by NATO airstrikes.
U.S. international air campaign launched on March 19 after the adoption of a Security Council resolution the UN to protect civilians after Gadhafi sent his forces to crush an uprising of people against their government. NATO, which has taken over the air strikes, says he has been doing everything possible to minimize the risk of collateral damage.
The alliance has been increasing and expanding the scope of their attacks in recent weeks, hiking pressure on Gaddafi, while many countries have developed closer ties with the rebel movement which controls the eastern half of Libya.
In a major deployment of the new firepower, France and Britain are carrying attack helicopters for use in attacks in Libya as soon as possible, the French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet, said Monday.
The use of attack helicopters seems to mark a new strategy of NATO, which has seen fit Gaddafi forces, often using urban struggle to make strikes more difficult to warplanes.
Agile, low-flying helicopters have much more leeway to choose targets with precision jets. But they are also more vulnerable to ground fire. The alliance has no military casualties since the start of the implementation of a no-fly zone on 31 March.
Several countries, including France and Italy, have recognized the NTC, while the United States, European Union and others have established a diplomatic presence in Benghazi.
Jeffrey Feltman, Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, declined to formally recognize the board as a speech on Tuesday, but said it was the voice of credibility of the Libyans.
"We're not talking about Gaddafi and his people. They are not talking to us. Have lost legitimacy. These are people we consider legitimate, representative and credible, "Feltman told reporters during a visit to the de-facto rebel capital of Benghazi.
Feltman also said he expects Congress to vote before the frozen assets in the U.S. system is used exclusively for humanitarian aid in Libya.
NTC praised for its emphasis on the liberation of Libya and to adhere to the Geneva Convention to protect human rights, which he called a sharp contrast with the position taken by the Gaddafi regime.
