NATO warplanes bomb Libyan capital (VIDEO)

NATO warplanes flew bombing runs over the Libyan capital Tripoli on Friday, targeting several parts of the city after an overnight bombardment.

It wasn't clear whether there were casualties, but the sirens of rescue vehicles could be heard blaring through the streets, the Associated Press reports. Friday is the main day of rest in Libya, with many people off work.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the U.S. is paying two mine-clearing groups in Britain and Switzerland nearly $1 million to find and destroy unused anti-aircraft missiles  on Libyan battlefields before they fall into the hands of terror groups.

(From GlobalPost in Libya: Traces of democracy in Libya's rebel city) 

However, concerns still exist over nearly 20,000 mostly Russian-built anti-aircraft missiles known to be in the posession of the Gaddafi regime before the popular uprising started in March.

The U.S. State Department, in hiring of the UK's Mines Advisory Group and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, was most concerned about the scavanging of man portable air defence systems, known as MANPADS, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

"I can't imagine the US can do anything about Gaddafi's inventory until they defeat him or negotiate his exit," the Telegraph quoted Matthew Schroeder, an arms expert with the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, as saying.

As the NATO attacks continued in Libya, with daytime assaults becoming more common.

Despite earlier reports that Muammar Gaddafi might hold elections, after talks with Libyan officials, the Russia's envoy to Africa said, Qaddafi still refuses to step down.