An AFP journalist, part of a group sent by the authorities to a bridge facing the port about a kilometre (less than a mile) away, was unable to determine whether it was a military or civilian vessel.
Earlier, regime spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told a press conference: "I have just learned that the port of Tripoli is now being targeted by NATO air raids. I am told that a boat has been hit."
He did not give further details on the vessel, but told the journalists: "Whatever the ship that has been hit, it is clearly a message sent by NATO to the international maritime companies not to send any more vessels to Libya."
Witnesses told AFP that they heard at least four explosions in the port and saw columns of smoke rising from the area.
"Military and civilian sites are currently the targets of raids by the colonialist Crusader aggressor," Libyan state television said.
Tripoli is targeted nearly daily with air raids by the international coalition, which launched strikes on March 19 to prevent Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi`s forces from attacking civilians.
NATO took over command of the operation on March 31.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
