A Nato air strike in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has killed the son of the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, a government spokesman has said.
Colonel Gaddafi himself was in the large residential villa which was hit by the strike, the spokesman added, but he was unharmed.
His son Saif al-Arab was killed, as well as three of his grandsons.
Journalists say the building was extensively damaged and one unexploded bomb remains at the site.
Saif al-Arab was the youngest of Col Gaddafi's sons, with a lower profile than his brother Saif al-Islam.
He had been studying in Germany and returned to Libya recently.
Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said the villa was attacked "with full power."
"The attack resulted in the martyrdom of brother Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, 29 years old, and three of the leader's grandchildren," he said.
"The leader with his wife was there in the house with other friends and relatives, the leader himself is in good health, he wasn't harmed."
"This was a direct operation to assassinate the leader of this country," the spokesman added.
Libya's government took journalists to the site where they said Saif al-Arab Gaddafi was killed
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Commentary
Even if we agree that Gaddafi is a horribly corrupt and unjust person, we still can't condemn his innocent children and family members for his sins.
I'm glad this small revolution is taking place in Libya, where the people are crying for justice, but I will never allow the death of an innocent to weigh on my soul.
These three grandchildren and child of Gaddafi, were innocent bi-standards. By the laws of war, you cannot and should never kill them. Collateral damage is an unacceptable term for murder.
If Gaddafi is with children and you're told to bomb the compound, you do not bomb it. You do not kill innocent children, and you do not destroy the soul within you, forever tarnishing your purity of intent and morality.
This should not be celebrated on any level. Nato should be ashamed of itself for ever launching an attack on children.
What separates you from the enemy if you're willing to do whatever he is to succeed? Where is the morality and ethics if you would pick up a sword and aim it at children? How can you then claim to fight for justice?
Shame on those that caused this incident, and may they be treated harshly on the day of Judgement.
