Nato planes have launched a series of air attacks on Libya’s capital Tripoli, with correspondents saying they appear the largest so far of the campaign.
Some of the strikes appear to have targeted Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound.
They came after France announced it and the UK would also deploy attack helicopters to escalate strike power.
Nato is enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians, following the uprising against Col Gaddafi’s rule.
Plumes of smoke
At least a dozen explosions were reported on Monday night.
The BBC’s Andrew North, in Tripoli, said the first blasts were in the vicinity of Bab al-Aziziya and were followed by more in other parts of the city.
After each blast a Nato aircraft could be heard in the sky.
Plumes of smoke were rising from the area of Bab al-Aziziya and anti-aircraft guns were firing.
Libyan officials said three people were killed and 150 wounded in the strikes. The statement could not be independently verified.
The attacks came after French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said France and the UK were to deploy attack helicopters to Nato’s Libya mission.
Mr Longuet said they would start as soon as possible. The UK has yet to confirm the deployment.
The move would increase pressure on Col Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, as helicopters can hit targets on the ground more accurately.
Nato jets have been targeting Col Gaddafi’s military infrastructure, but have been unable to stop the fighting.
Rebels control much of Libya’s east, while Col Gaddafi’s forces control most of the west of the country.
The rebellion against his rule began in February, spurred on by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt that saw the presidents of those countries overthrown.
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Nato steps up Libya air strikes