Libyan rebels have reportedly encircled Tripoli from the west, east and south with heavy fighting also reported by eyewitnesses within and across the capital city.
Speaking by telephone to reporters from the Tunisian capital of Tunis, rebel leader Anwar Fekini confirmed to The New York Times that attacks were being coordinated from inside the Libyan capital. “Our forces from outside are ready to enter Tripoli,” he said.
“Call any mobile number in Tripoli, and you will hear in the background the beautiful sound of the bullets of freedom.”
Reporters from other news agencies did just that, and confirmed gunfire in a number of neighborhoods across the city.
Saturday afternoon, rebel forces finally seized total control of the strategic oil refinery town of Zawiyah, 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of the capital, after a week of heavy fighting. News agencies reported that residents celebrated in the city square as the noose was sealed tight around the Libyan capital city from three out of four directions.
The same day, the crucial Qaddafi military stronghold of Zlitan, east of Tripoli, also fell to the rebels. Farther east, the port city of Brega, a strategic oil refinery target that has repeatedly changed hands, was re-taken by rebel forces. Last week the city of Gharyan, gateway to the country's southland, also was captured by rebel forces.
Longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi has continued to insist that rebel fighters would never succeed in their attempt to overtake the capital. However, an increasing number of government officials appear to see the writing on the wall, and are making plans to flee.
Senior security official Nassr al-Mabrouk Abdullah arrived in Cairo with his family last Monday. By Friday, Abdel Salam Jalloud, a Qaddafi deputy, had defected to Tunisia.
Libyan oil minister Omran Abukra'a had traveled to Tunisia weeks ago allegedly on government business, but sparking speculation that he had already defected. Tunisia's state agency reported Saturday that Abukra'a had officially defected.