Israel Matzav

Breaking: Gadhafi falls UPDATED

Israel Radio has just reported that Muammar Gadhafi has fled and the city of Tripoli has fallen. More to follow.

What happens next remains to be seen.

UPDATE 11:54 PM

Here's a report and video from Sky News which has a reporter embedded with the rebels:

Sky's special correspondent Alex Crawford, accompanying the rebels, said the opposition fighters were greeted with scenes of jubilation as they made their way through the outskirts of the capital.

As they entered the city, their cars gridlocked the roads, she said, and hundreds of people came out onto the streets to greet them.

The rebels responded with celebratory gunfire, she said.

"We are now just a very short distance from the centre, with more and more people coming onto the streets.

"They (the rebels) had been expecting much more resistance but there has been very little."

"There is absolutely no question in their minds that they have beaten Gaddafi and it is just a question of how he will go," she added.

The quick advance came after the fighters captured the base of the Khamis Brigade, 16 miles west of the capital.

It is said to be one of the best-trained and equipped units in the Libyan military and is commanded by Col Gaddafi's 27-year-old son Khamis.

Aside from the main rebel movement from the west of the city, fighting also broke out in the city's Mitiga airbase, while the suburb of Tajoura reportedly also fell under rebel control.

Gunfire was also heard near the hotel where foreign media are staying.

As the rebel movement came closer to the capital, Col Gaddafi broadcast a message on state television calling on Libyan people to come from all regions and liberate Tripoli.

He said he was "afraid Tripoli will burn" but that he will remain in the city until the end.

The Libyan government also earlier appealed for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Nato's "aggression".

Spokesman for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Moussa Ibrahim, told reporters the rebels were nothing without Nato and they would never be able to take Libya.

Maybe. But Gadhafi is now gone.

Let's go to the videotape.



Hmmm.

UPDATE 12:06 AM

Israel Radio reports that Gadhafi's personal security detail surrendered, that Seif al-Islam Gadhafi has been arrested and that Muammar Gadhafi himself is believed to have fled to Chad or Algeria. Gadhafi's last speech, in which he promised to fight to the last drop of blood, was apparently given via phone from his hiding place.

UPDATE 12:13 AM

Another Gadhafi son (Khamis?) also arrested.

Gadhafi spokesman has just told CNN that they will continue to fight.

Labels: Libyan regime change, Muammar Gaddafi, Tripoli

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:45 PM