Gadhafi offers truce if NATO strikes in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — NATO bombs hit a Libyan Government complex before dawn Saturday, damaging two buildings, like the Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi called for a ceasefire and negotiations with NATO powers in a live speech on State TV. By Darko Bandic, AP

In this photo made on a Government-organized tour, is an official building damaged after an air attack early Saturday in Tripoli, Libya.

By Darko Bandic, AP

In this photo made on a Government-organized tour, is an official building damaged after an air attack early Saturday in Tripoli, Libya.

The targeted compound included the State television building, and an official from the Libyan claimed that the strikes were meant to kill Gadhafi. "We believe that the goal was the leader," said the spokesman of the Government Moussa Ibrahim. However, the TV building was not damaged, and Gadhafi spoke of a secret location.A visit to the scene of the strikes of told reporters that the damaged buildings housed a Commission for women and children and offices of Parliament's staff. One of at least three bombs or missiles knocked in a large part of a two-story Italianate style building. In another, doors and ceiling tiles were blown to the ground. A police officer said three people were injured, one seriously.Gadhafi, meanwhile, called for a ceasefire in a speech that is both restrained and defiant and lasted more than an hour. "The door to peace is open," said the Libyan leader, sitting behind a desk and repeatedly flipping through handwritten notes. "You are the aggressors. We will negotiate with you, "he said. "Come, France, Italy, United Kingdom, America, come, we will negotiate with you. Why you fall us? "He said Libyans have the right to choose their own political system, but not under the threat of NATO bombing. "Why are you killing our children? Why are you destroy our infrastructure, "he said, denying that his troops had slain Libyan citizens.Rebel leaders have said they would negotiate a truce only after Gadhafi has stepped aside, something the Libyan leader has refused to do. The revolt against Gadhafi, Libya the ruler of 42 years, broke out in mid-February, and has claimed hundreds of lives. Rebels controlling the East of the country, while Gadhafi has retained most of the West.A few hours before the speech, Gadhafi of forces shell the besieged rebel city of Misrata, killing 15 people, including a 9-year-old boy, hospital doctors said. The city of 300,000 is the main rebel stronghold in western Libya, and has been under siege for two months, with the port are only connection to the outside world.NATO on Friday foiled attempts by regime loyalists to close the only access route to Misrata, intercept boats that anti-ship mines in the waters around the port to were.The Gadhafi regime signaled Friday that it is trying to block access to Misrata on sea.Ibrahim, the Libyan official, said he was not aware of the attempt to lay mines. However, he said that the Government tries to prevent arms shipments from reaching the rebels by sea. Asked if support ships also blocked would be, he said any aid consignments should be coordinated with the authorities and preferably overland.Gadhafi's forces have repeatedly shelled the port area in the past. Libyan forces deployed on the edge of Misrata, after having driven out of the Centre by the rebels last week.

Copyright 2011 the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ 's. Report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for authentication. Our corrections, go to corrections. usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines for the conversation. Changes include a brief overview of the monitoring process and an explanation about how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.