Libyan rebels enter Tripoli, arrest Gaddafi’s son

By Rizwan Khatik - Mon Aug 22, 5:05 am

TRIPOLI, Libya — Euphoric Libyan rebels raced into the capital Tripoli on Sunday and moved close to centre with little resistance as Moammar Gaddafi’s defenders melted away. Opposition leaders said Gaddafi’s son and one-time heir apparent, Seif Al Islam, has been arrested.

Associated Press reporters with the rebels said the fighters moved easily from the western outskirts into the regime stronghold in a dramatic turning of the tides in the 6-month-old Libyan civil war.

‘They will enter Green Square tonight, God willing,’ said Mohammed Al Zawi, a 30-year-old rebel who entered Tripoli. Green Square has been the site of night rallies by Gaddafi supporters throughout the uprising.

Gaddafi’s rule of more than 40 years appeared to be rapidly crumbling.

Earlier in the day, the rebels overran a major military base defending the capital, carted away truckloads of weapons and raced to Tripoli with virtually no resistance.

Gaddafi acknowledged that the opposition forces were moving into Tripoli. In an audio message broadcast on Libyan state television after the rebels entered the capital, he warned the Tripoli would be turned into another Baghdad.