A coalition military official insisted neither Gadhafi nor his residence were intended targets of the bombing late on March 20. But the official, who was not being identified because of the sensitivity of the information, said the compound was targeted because it contained capabilities to exercise command and control over Libyan forces.

US Vice Adm. Bill Gortney reinforced the coalition's objective.

"We are not going after Gadhafi," he said at a Pentagon press briefing. "Regime forces are more pressed and less free to maneuver."

Asked about reports of smoke rising from the area of Gadhafi's palace, Gortney said, "We are not targeting his residence."

A Libyan government official said the building was used by Gadhafi officials and said there were no casualties from the building.

The building is only 100 yards or so from a statue of a golden fist crushing a model plane emblazoned with "USA", a monument to the 1986 American bombing of Libya, in which a US plane was shot down.