Libya Blames NATO for Deadly Airstrike on Clinic [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

Libya is accusing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, of a deadly raid on a medical clinic, on Monday morning local time, according to the Agence France-Presse .

An official told the news agency that the reported NATO airstrike was on a small clinic in Zliten, east of Tripoli. Additionally, the government said that airstrike killed at least seven people.

Zliten is about 9.3 miles, or 150 kilometers, east of Tripoli, which is a stronghold for Muammar Gaddafi, and about 3.7 miles, or 60 kilometers, from rebel-held Misratah.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, NATO Deputy spokeswoman Carmen Romero, said the organization's allies and partners are following developments in the country closely.

"Our mission is to prevent attacks and threats against civilians. And nations are absolutely determined to continue that mission," Romero said. "We have made it clear that there has to be a political solution to this crisis. But we have made it equally clear that our military operation will continue for as long as it is needed. [Gaddafi ] cannot wait us out. And as long as his forces continue to attack or threaten civilians, and as long as they continue to try and cut off humanitarian aid, our operations will continue."

U.S. government officials have held direct talks with envoys of Gaddafi's regime, according to the U.S. State Department, and American officials repeated its demand that Gaddafi step down immediately from power and that no negotiations were involved in the talks.

"The message was simple and unambiguous - Gaddafi must leave power so that a new political process can begin that reflects the will and aspirations of the Libyan people," a statement from the U.S. State Department read.

The AFP reported that Britain has joined France in saying Gaddafi may be allowed to remain in the oil-rich country if he relinquishes power.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has demanded that Gaddafi step down but said he might be allowed to remain in the North African country, according to AFP.

"Obviously him leaving Libya itself would be the best way of showing the Libyan people that they no longer have to live in fear of Gaddafi," Hague said. "But as I have said all along, this is ultimately a question for Libyans to determine."

Watch the NATO briefing below.