Updated

An apparent NATO airstrike has again targeted the area near al-Qaddafi's compound during a pre-dawn raid in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

At least two thunderous booms were heard in quick succession shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday in the capital. A column of smoke could be seen rising from the vicinity of the Libyan leader's Bab al-Aziziya compound.

It was not clear what was hit. Government officials did not immediately comment on the strike.

NATO warplanes have repeatedly targeted the area in and around the compound, which sits in the heart of Tripoli.