20110629
xinhua
TRIPOLI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Six powerful explosions struck the eastern suburb of Tajuraa in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Tuesday, a Xinhua correspondent said.

The explosions sent a thick cloud of black smoke rising high into the air as NATO jets flew over the city. There were no reports about casualties and damage.

Loud explosions and anti-aircraft fire rang across Tajuraa region for the third day running, said the correspondent.

NATO has been ratcheting up military pressure on embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, urging him to quit.

Libyan officials have continually charged that NATO airstrikes have damaged civilian facilities and killed hundreds of civilians.

The most recent figures from Libya's health ministry show 856 civilians have been killed in NATO air raids since they began in March. The figure could not be independently confirmed.

The world's major powers, the UK, the US and France, started on March 19 to launch strikes from the air and sea against Gaddafi's forces after the UN Security Council passed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya.

NATO formally took over full command and control of military operations against Libya from the United States on March 31.