A missile strike on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s compound in Tripoli has destroyed a command centre.

The strike was on Qaddafi’s Bab al-Azizia leadership compound used for high level visits. The front of the building was also destroyed during the strike.

A coalition comprising the US, the UK and France have been enforcing strikes to enforce a UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya since 19 March. US officials say the strikes are aimed at armed forces and air defences systems, rather than Qaddafi himself or his residence (MEED 20:3:11).

At the Pentagon, Navy Vice Admiral William Gortney said that the military action had been “very effective in significantly degrading the regime’s air defence capability”.

The UN had agreed on 18 March to enforce a no-fly zone and to demand that Qaddafi’s forces lay down their arms and withdraw from the territory and the cities they occupied during their advance towards Benghazi.

The UN resolution was backed by the Arab League, which voiced its support for military strikes against the Qaddafi regime.

Qaddafi agreed to the ceasefire, but his forces continue their assault on rebel positions in Benghazi.