August 22, 2011 11:40 AM

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Rebels sweep in Tripoli, Gaddafi vows to defeat

Libyan rebels has swept into the capital Tripoli to rapturous welcome. Rebel troops approaching from the west met little resistance as they raced through government positions outside the capital.Thousands of Tripoli residents celebrated as opposition fighters entered the symbolic square that they have renamed Martyrs Square, where jubilant Libyans tore down posters of Mr. Gadhafi. The Libyan government says 65 thousand soldiers loyal to Col. Gadaffi remain in Tripoli but there was little sign of them as the rebels advanced. Meanwhile the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has confirmed that Col. Gadaffi's son and intended successor Seif al-Islam has been detained.Col. Gadaffi has made a renewed call for the Libyan tribes to come to Tripoli to fight the rebels. In his second audio message of the day Col. Gadaffi made a direct appeal to towns around the capital to come to its defence. A rebel spokesman said insurgents sent a group of fighters into the capital by sea from the port of Misrata. He also said the elite presidential guard in charge of protecting Mr. Gadhafi had surrendered, enabling the opposition to seize large parts of the city.

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