Explosions heard in Tripoli after Libya declares third ceasefire

Tripoli/Cairo - Explosions rocked the Libyan capital Tripoli early Wednesday, CNN reported, as the United States confirmed it would be handing over control of military operations in the coming days.

It was not clear where the explosions were in the city, the report said, adding that there was no anti-aircraft fire. Coalition forces have bombarded Tripoli with cruise missiles in recent nights. On Tuesday, Libyan Prime Minister al-Baghdadi Ali al- Mahmoudi declared a ceasefire.

Two previous ceasefires have not held up. Also Tuesday, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi held a defiant televised address, saying “we will not give up” and calling on other Muslim countries to “take part in the battle against the crusaders.” In an interview with broadcaster ABC, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that the US would hand over control of operations in the next few days.

The US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters that US President Barack Obama, his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed that “NATO should play a key role in the command structure.” Clinton also told ABC that Gaddafi had been exploring options for a future abroad, according to US intelligence.

People from his entourage have been “putting out feelers” to their contacts around the world, possibly with a view to where he could go if he has to leave the country, she said.

click to enlarge PEACE MARCH: Libyan tribal leaders seen during a press conference in Tripoli, Libya, 22 March. Libyan tribal leaders announced their plans of a massive peace march from Tripoli to Benghazi starting 24 March. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that Libya’s government has announced a new ceasefire. Speaking in Tunisia, Ban said that Libyan Prime Minister al- Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi had informed him by telephone of the development. © EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA