Intense clashes continue in the Libyan capital, despite earlier reports of rebel control.
The fight for Tripoli continued on Tuesday (August 23rd) as revolutionary forces battled with troops remaining loyal to Moamer Kadhafi.
Opposition fighters were reportedly converging on Bab al-Aziziya, Kadhafi's fortified lair, where loyalist fighters were engaged in fierce clashes. Smoke could be seen rising from the vicinity of Kadhafi's compound.
"It's clear that Kadhafi's battalions have a presence in Bab al-Aziziya, and therefore, I expect that he is still at Bab al-Aziziya," said Tripoli resident Retaj Omar. "The Libyan people know quite well that Moamer Kadhafi will relinquish power only by force. However, thank God, we're about to have that ending with the fall of the oppressor."
Despite confirmation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of his capture by rebel forces, Seif al-Islam al-Kadhafi made a surprise appearance at the Rixos Hotel on Monday evening.
"To hell with the ICC," he told reporters when asked about the war crimes charges against him. "We are going to win," he said. He also claimed his father was still in the capital.
Also Monday, pro-Kadhafi forces fired three scud missiles towards the city of Misrata. "The use of such Scud-type missiles presents a threat to civilians," chief NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told AFP. "They are a weapon of terror, it is utterly irresponsible."
Despite resistance from Kadhafi's forces, Libyans were euphoric over the prospect of freedom. Elderly Tripoli resident Fawzia al-Zanati was displaced by the fighting and spent two months in Sabha before making it to Benghazi.
"I'm very happy that I witnessed such a day. I was afraid lest God shouldn't extend my life until I see Kadhafi humiliated as he did to us all these years," al-Zanati told Magharebia.
In her turn, Tobruk resident Mardoua Mohammed told Magharebia that people throughout the eastern city were celebrating news of the rebel advance to Tripoli.
"People went out chanting 'God is Great!' while women were uttering trilling cries of joy and were singing in celebration of the fall of capital at the hands of revolutionaries," she said.
"Our happiness as the Libyan people is not comparable to anyone else's," said Salem al-Ra'di of al-Bayda in the Green Mountain region of eastern of Libya.
"We, the people of eastern region, were the most oppressed and pillaged by Kadhafi and his henchmen. We've lived like a poor people in a poor country although we're one of the richest countries in the world with the country's wealth in terms of oil, strategic and tourist locations. We didn't get anything from him except for torture and oppression. Today, thank God, we're celebrating our deliverance from the tyrant Kadhafi, his sons and elements," he said.
In Benghazi, meanwhile, there were sounds of gunfire, fireworks and car horns in celebration of the rebels reaching the capital. There were marches with men and women expressing their happiness and joy at the near end of Kadhafi's long rule.
"I have three nephews who were killed by Kadhafi at Abu Slim prison," said Amina, a Benghazi resident. "I want to say just one sentence to him: 'O, oppressor, now you will taste the oppression that you forced us to taste for years'."
Jamila Younis, a resident of al-Marj in eastern Libya, said: "There was joy all over the city, and our night became like day because of fireworks and the sound of bullets, which was only surpassed by the trilling cries of joy and songs in celebration of the entry into the Libyan capital of Tripoli."
"Last night, there were demonstrations and marches in our streets," Mohamed Abdullah said. "However, I'm still not reassured, since Kadhafi has not been arrested yet. Therefore, I'm apprehensive of treachery, God forbid."
Celebrations continue in Tunisia
Meanwhile in Tunisia, thousands of Libyans and Tunisians joined together to celebrate the news. In Tunis, crowds gathered in front of the Libyan embassy to express their joy following the end of an era of oppression and dictatorship.
"Finally Libya is liberated from the gang of Kadhafi, thanks to the heroes - the descendants of Omar Mukhtar, and the help of NATO, which opened the door for our rebels to achieve the dream of freedom," commented Alia Ahmadi. "I hope that this joy will soon be complete with the arrest of the criminal Kadhafi and bringing him to trial."
The Tunisian government responded to the news by recognising the Transitional National Council (TNC) on Saturday, saying it hoped the revolution would lead to strengthened relations between the two peoples.
Libyan families in Tunisia, meanwhile, have begun to return home. Hamed Abd Karim and his family have spent six months with Tunisian families in Medenine but now he says he is ready to go home.
"We will rejoin our families to share in the return of freedom to Libya, and get back our house that was destroyed by the Kadhafi regime and his groups," Abd Karim said. However, his wife Aicha still hopes to find her property intact despite the devastation inflicted by Kadhafi's battalions.
"What our fellow Tunisians, both people and government, have done for us from the beginning of our blessed revolution is wonderful," Abd Karim added. "We used to share bread with a Tunisian family as if we belonged to the household and I do not know how we will ever return the favour to Tunisia."
Libyan refugee Saeed al-Jado told Magharebia from Tataouine that people in southern Tunisia were "celebrating the entry of revolutionaries into Tripoli with the Tunisian people".
"There was joy all over the area, with trilling cries of joy and happiness. They are now waiting for the arrest of Kadhafi, and hope that peace and security will prevail all over the country," al-Jado said.
© Magharebia.com 2011
