At least three people were killed with some 150 others injured in NATO airstrikes in Tripoli early Tuesday near the area around leader Muammar Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya residence, local TV reported.

Over 15 strong explosions were heard, which were considered the strongest blasts since NATO started its airstrikes on Libya, a Xinhua report said.

Libyan government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told reporters NATO carried out between 12 and 18 raids on "barracks of the people's guard," who are volunteer units supporting the government forces.

He added that most victims were civilians living in the area.

Witnesses said the raids lasted more than half an hour and they saw the wounded people have been sent to the central hospital of Tripoli.