Libyan Rebels Enter Tripoli as Gadhafy Regime Crumbles
Celebration City: Libyans celebrate the advance of rebel troops on Tripoli. Image by Getty Images
Libyan rebels captured two of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi’s sons, and his presidential guard has surrendered as most of the capital city of Tripoli fell, news agencies reported Monday.
Gadhafi’s eldest son, Mohammed al-Gadhafi, surrendered to Libyan rebel forces, rebel National Transitional Council Coordinator Adel Dabbechi told Reuters. He also confirmed that Gadhafi’s better-known younger son, Saif Al-Islam, had been captured. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo later confirmed the report that Saif al-Islam had been detained.
There was no word Monday on the fate of Muammar Gadhafi, who has vowed to fight to the death.
“A great majority of the capital of Tripoli is under freedom fighters’ control,” Guma El-Gamaty, the Britain-based coordinator for the rebels’ Transitional National Council, told CNN.
Gadhafi’s regime remained in control of at least three parts of the city, including the area around the Rixos hotel, where international journalists are staying, El-Gamaty said.
The capture of the longtime strongman’s son was the latest sign that his 42-year rule was ending.
“We have confirmed information that our guys have captured Saif al-Islam,” the head of the NTC, Mustapha Abd El Jalil, told Al Jazeera television earlier. “We have given instructions to treat him well so that he can face trial.”
Mohammad al-Gadhafi, told Al Jazeera television in the early hours of Monday that he had been detained by rebels and was being kept under house arrest in Tripoli.
Gunfire was heard throughout the city and CNN reporters travelling with the rebels said they were in the central square.
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