NATO admitts civilian deaths in Tripoli air raid

NATO has admitted it destroyed a house in Tripoli in which Libyan officials said nine civilians were killed, an incident likely to sow new doubts inside the alliance about its mission in Libya.

The air strike was the clearest case yet of NATO bombing causing multiple civilian casualties, and comes at a time when NATO is already under strain from a campaign that is taking more time and resources than it expected.

A NATO statement said a military missile site was the intended target of the air strikes but that it appeared one of the weapons did not strike that target.

NATO has been pounding targets in Libya since March 19 in what it says is an operation to protect civilians who rebelled against Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

The Libyan leader says it is an act of colonial aggression designed to steal oil. Strains are appearing within NATO member states as the campaign drags on for longer than envisaged and Gaddafi remains in power.