NATO airstrike hit a bus loaded with passengers Wednesday evening in Kikla city, 120 km southwest of the capital Tripoli, killing 12 and wounding two others, Libyan state TV reported.

The strikes hit the bus at the entrance of the city in the mountainous region southwest of Tripoli, Libyan state TV quoted military sources as saying.

The city has been the focus of fights between the forces of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the rebels against his 42-year rule.

NATO is not immediately available to make comments on the incident.

During the past several weeks, NATO forces have intensified strikes against Tripoli and the neighboring areas. Libyan authorities have continually accused NATO of killing hundreds of civilians and destroying civil facilities and infrastructures.

The world's major powers, the UK, the U.S. and France, started on March 19 to launch strikes from the air and sea against Gaddafi 's forces after the UN Security Council passed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya.

NATO has formally taken over full command and control of military operations against Libya from the U.S. on March 31.