NATO says its warplanes have bombed Libyan state TV satellite transmitters because they were being used to incite violence and threaten civilians.

A statement says the strike early Saturday "will reduce the regime's ability to oppress civilians, while (preserving) television broadcast infrastructure that will be needed after the conflict." NATO said Moammar Gaddafi's inflammatory broadcasts have been designed to mobilize his supporters.

The attempt to silence the government's TV broadcasts comes at a sensitive time for Libya's rebels, who appear to be in disarray after the death of their chief military commander.

Witnesses say Abdel-Fattah Younis was killed by his comrades this week while in custody after being arrested by the opposition's leadership on suspicion of treason.