Libya: Nato steps up air strikes on Tripoli

A series of massive explosions have shaken the Libyan capital Tripoli, in what appear to be the largest airstrike since the bombing campaign against Col. Muammar Gaddafi forces began in March. Around 20 air strikes in an half an hour period sent plumes of smoke drifting across the city. The force of each explosion shook the hotel housing foreign journalists. A Libyan government spokesman said three people were killed and over a hundred wounded.
In a related development France and Britain are to deploy attack helicopters against Libya to try to increase the pressure against Col Gaddafi and break the stalemate between his forces and the Libyan rebels. France has dispatched 12 helicopters based on a warship; Britain is expected to send Apache helicopters also onboard a navy vessel, although the deployment has not yet been confirmed.