Official: Libyan Rebels To Open Office In U.S.

Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, at a news conference during his visit to Benghazi on May 24

A top U.S. official says Libya's rebels have accepted an invitation to open a representative office in Washington.

Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, made the statement in Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city controlled by the rebels.

Feltman said "a formal invitiation" was delivered to the rebel leadership, and it was accepted.

Feltman is in Benghazi on a three-day visit for talks with the rebels' National Transitional Council. Feldman's statement came after the capital, Tripoli, was hit early today by what appears to be a series of bombing strikes by NATO warplanes.

AP reports there have been as many as 20 apparent air strikes, which set off thunderous booms around Tripoli.

Reports say smoke from the strikes was seen rising from the area close to the compound of Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi.

compiled from agency reports