Libyan rebels have taken the capital

22 Avqust 2011 09:00 | 557

THE sound of heavy fighting can be heard near the residence in central Tripoli of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi after rebel forces the previous day surged into the capital, taking over many districts.

Fighting was also heard in the south of the capital from around 5.30am local time (1.30pm AEST), with heavy weaponry and automatic rifle fire being deployed, an AFP reporter said.

Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound has been blasted regularly since the start of the international military intervention in Libya on March 19 and most of the buildings in the complex have been flattened.

The strongman's whereabouts are unknown although he broadcast three audio messages earlier today as rebel forces were sweeping through the capital and taking over the symbolic Green Square in the heart of the city.

The crackle of Kalashnikov fire could be heard before dawn in Tripoli near the Hotel Rixos, which houses most of the foreign media.

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