Fighting in Tripoli
Saturday, August 20, 2011 10:47:00 PM
From the BBC:
Explosions and sustained gunfire have been heard in parts of Tripoli, as rebels close in on the Libyan capital. A BBC correspondent in the city says it sounded like exchange of fire rather than celebratory gunshots. Residents spoke of clashes in the city, amid reports that opponents of Col Muammar Gaddafi were being urged to go on the streets.
Rebels earlier claimed control of of Zlitan, 160km (100 miles) east of Tripoli, and Zawiya, 30km to the west. However, pro-Gaddafi forces have been fighting back at the oil port of Brega, with the rebels admitting that they fell back from the eastern town's industrial zone under heavy bombardment.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Tripoli says the momentum is clearly against Col Gaddafi and his supporters. Our correspondent says that the rebels now have better weaponry. He adds that either pro-Gaddafi forces have pulled back in places like Zlitan in order to prepare for a fresh offensive or, after months of Nato air strikes, elements of the army may simply be too weak to fight on."
Reports from twitter are that there is heavy fighting in and around Tripoli with the Tajoura are reportedly within rebel hands, unconfirmed rumours of Gadaffi fleeing are yet to be confirmed.
More to come.