'Many civilians' killed in raids east of Tripoli

Mourners gather around the body of a rebel killed by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Libyan state news agency Jana claims that coalition forces were responsible for a 'large number' of civilian casualties. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

TRIPOLI - LIBYAN state news agency Jana said on Wednesday that coalition raids on a residential neighbourhood east of the capital killed 'a large number' of civilians.

'The bombardments carried out by the colonialist crusader aggressors in the Tajura region in Tripoli targeted a residential neighbourhood... killing a large number of civilians,' it said, quoting a military official.

Tajura was struck three times, the agency said, adding that the third raid 'targeted rescuers who were trying to remove the dead and wounded from the rubble and the destruction caused by the first two raids.' Ambulances were heard in central Tripoli and in Tajura, AFP correspondents said.

Earlier, witnesses told AFP that a huge blast was heard in a military base in the Tajura region 32km east of Tripoli and flames were seen at the compound.

Tajura is home to the most important Libyan military bases and was struck by allied forces on Saturday, the first day of the military operations launched against Libya to impose a UN no-fly zone on the country. -- AFP