By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TRIPOLI, Libya–Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is standing firm to his claim of staying entrenched in Tripoli until “the end,” as opposition fighters clashed their way towards the capital to support rebels who entered the city on Saturday evening. After being met with sporadic and seemingly farce resistance, rebels blasted into the Libyan capital on Sunday evening, complete with street celebrations by residents hailing the end of Gaddafi’s 42-year reign.

The fighting spilled into Sunday morning in several central and eastern neighborhoods. Witnesses reported that rebel flags were raised over some buildings, perhaps a sign to hope that change might really be on the horizon. This recent swing of battles comes just 24 hours after forces loyal to Gaddafi utilized heavy machine guns and mortars to deal with lightly armed opposition forces and protesters who were expressing their disgust with the status quo in the streets.

In an address to the nation, Gaddafi refused to surrender and guaranteed to emerge as the victor. He also called on all of the Libyan people to come from all regions to “liberate” Tripoli.

“We will not, we will not abandon Tripoli to the occupants and their agents. I am with you in this battle. We do not surrender and, by God’s grace, we will emerge victorious. Today we must take over Tajoura. I fear, if you let them, they will destroy Tripoli.”

Just as Gaddafi was delivering his promise to never surrender, rebel fighters made significant advances in several key regions. They advanced ten kilometers from the western region of Zawiyah, capturing the town of al-Mayah. This acquisition placed the rebels within several kilometers of Tripoli’s suburbs. Simultaneously, more rebels made their way to other locations to the south and east, Gharyan and Zlitan.

An Al-Jazeera correspondent conducted an interview with a Tripoli resident in the Abu Sita neighborhood named Youssef. He expressed these sentiments concerning the rebel advances on Sunday afternoon.

“We are waiting for the revolutionaries to come to conquer Tripoli, because we don’t have weapons to defend ourselves. Gaddafi troops are using heavy artillery and heavy weapons, and we don’t know what’s going to happen in the next two to three hours.”

Late Sunday evening, rebel officials reports that two of Gaddafi’s sons, Saif al-Islam and Saaid, have been arrested by opposition forces in Tripoli. The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo confirmed this report of their capture. Moreno-Ocampo also said that the court has indicted Saif al-Islam for torturing and killing civilians.

Moving into the early hours of Monday, the rebels pushed further and made their way to Green Square, which they renamed Martyrs’ Square. Celebrations began to pile up as thousands of Libyans entered the streets and waved rebel flags, appearing to salute each other over a victory that was not completed.

Gaddafi gave an audio broadcast to his nation late on Sunday, urging them to “save Tripoli” from the rebels.

“How come you allow Tripoli, the capital, to be under occupation once again? The traitors are paving the way for the occupation forces to be deployed in Tripoli. Get out and lead, lead, lead the people to paradise.”

Libyan Information Minister Moussa Ibrahim reported that since fighting in the capital began around noon (10:00 GMT) on Sunday, the battles had claimed 1,300 lives and left some 5,000 wounded.

“The city is being turned into a hellfire.”

The National Transitional Council (NTC), the governing body of the rebels, issued a mass text message early on Monday morning.

“We congratulate the Libyan people for the fall of Muammar Qaddafi and call on the Libyan people to go into the street to protect the public property. Long live free Libya.”

There is surely a resurgent feeling of hope inside Libya that the 42-year reign of their leader is finally coming to an end. Aref Ali Nayed, an ambassador in the United Arab Emirates for the NTC said that the opposition forces were dubbing Sunday “Day 1” to signify that a new era in Libya has already begun. But the search for the Libyan leader still continues.

More battles occurred early on Monday after tanks left Bab Aziziya, Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli, to try and quell the impending rebel assault. The location of the Gaddafi himself is still unknown and it is believed that he is attempting to rally his forces for a final defense. One can only hope that more of the thousands of civilians inside Libya will not have to pay the ultimate price for a regime transition that desperately needs to occur.

For more information, please see:

Ahram-Gaddafi’s reign crumbles to its demise as rebels seize most of Tripoli and heir-22 August 2011

Al-Jazeera-Libyan rebels in ‘final push’ for capital-21 August 2011

BBC-Scenes of joy as Libya rebels enter centra Tripoli-22 August 2011

CNN-Gadhafi regime appears to be ‘crumbling’ as rebels advance in Tripoli-22 August 2011

The Guardian-Libya:rebel forces reach heart of Tripoli-22 August 2011

NYT-Jubilant Rebels Control Much of Tripoli-22 August 2011