SKY NEWS– Two deaths have been confirmed following an air strike in the east of the capital, Tripoli, in the early hours of Sunday.  Libyan authorities say nine civilians were killed, including a family of five.

The military alliance said the errant strike may have been due to “a weapons system failure”.

“Nato regrets the loss of innocent civilian lives and takes great care in conducting strikes against a regime determined to use violence against its own citizens,” it said in a statement.

“Although we are still determining the specifics of this event, indications are that a weapons system failure may have caused this incident.”

Sky’s Sam Kiley, reporting from Tripoli, said the incident was a huge blow to the alliance, whose mandate for military action is to protect civilians by enforcing a UN Resolution against Col Gaddafi.

Reporters were earlier taken by Libyan government officials to the residential area in the Arada neighbourhood of Tripoli and saw a body pulled out of the rubble of a destroyed building.

Following the blast, deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim told reporters at the site: “There was intentional and deliberate targeting of the civilian houses.

“This is another sign of the brutality of the West.”

Read the full article about NATO Air Strike Kills Civilians In Tripoli.

© 2011 Sky News

Photo by Flickr user rafahkid