Chemical attack on Misurata feared as Gaddafi vows revenge for son's death

Nato denied targeting members of Muammar Gaddafi's family on Sunday after a Libyan government spokesman said the leader had survived a Nato air strike in Tripoli that killed his youngest son and three grandchildren.

The Western alliance, which is conducting air strikes to protect civilians during an anti-Gaddafi rebellion, confirmed one of its targets included a command centre in the Tripoli neighbourhood late on Saturday in which the Libyan spokesman said Gaddafi and his family were targeted.

"Nato continued its precision strikes against regime military installations in Tripoli overnight, including striking a known command and control building in the Bab al-Azizya neighbourhood shortly after 8pm Saturday evening," it said.

Nato's commander of Libya operations, Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, said the target was part of a strategy to damage Gaddafi's ability to plan and conduct attacks on civilians.

"All Nato's targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the Gaddafi regime's systematic attacks on the Libyan population ... We do not target individuals," he said in a statement.

"I am aware of unconfirmed media reports that some of Gaddafi's family members may have been killed," he said. "We regret all loss of life, especially the innocent civilians being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict."

On Saturday, the alliance dismissed an offer of a truce and negotiations from Gaddafi, saying it was not credible and reiterating its stance that it will target his military equipment and facilities while civilians are being threatened.

The revenge vowed by Gaddafi supporters is instilling fear in Misurata, as reports suggest that pro-Gaddafi troops who are still holding a siege on the port-city of Misurata, were seen wearing gas masks.

According to the reports, the rebel fighters in Misurata are fearing that the fact that the pro-Gaddafi troops are wearing masks, is indicative that Gaddafi might try to revenge the death of his son by using chemical weapons.