Libya: rebel forces reach heart of Tripoli – live updates

• Tripoli celebrates after rebels reach Green Square • Obama: ‘Tripoli slipping from the grasp of a tyrant’ • Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam arrested • Defiant Gaddafi urges supporters to defend capital 8.05am: Fighting has broken out near the Rixos hotel in the Tripoli, a doctor told Sky News. Is is likely to be day of wild rumour and conflicting reports, not least about the whereabouts of Muammar Gaddafi. Diplomats told AFP that the Libyan leader is still in his residence in Tripoli. There have also been reports that he has fled. All this is impossible to verify. 7.31am: Welcome to Middle East Live as momentous events unfold in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Here’s a summary of the main developments overnight. You can read more details on Sunday’s extended live blog : • The rebels reached Green Square in the heart of Tripoli and vowed to rename it Martyrs Square, as it was originally known. • There are reports of heavy clashes around Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli. His forces are believed to be in control of up to 20% of the capital. Gaddafi’s whereabouts are unknown. • The International Criminal Court said it had confirmation that Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, had been arrested. Gaddafi’s eldest son Mohammed is also believed to be under house arrest. • The rebels’ spokesman promised they would guarantee Gaddafi’s safety and said they wanted to see him stand trial in Libya and nowhere else. • President Obama has put out a statement on the situation in Libya in which he says Gaddafi must “acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all”. • Gaddafi issued a desperate call to Libyan tribes to come to the capital to defend it , while government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim proposed a ceasefire. Libya Muammar Gaddafi Nato US foreign policy International criminal court Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Syria Bashar Al-Assad Israel Egypt Matthew Weaver guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 22, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.