Reply #96: Libyan Rebels Say They Are Attacking The Capital (Libyans feel Gaddafi departure imminent) [View All]

[pinboy3niner]

by NPR Staff and Wires, National Public Radio
August 21, 2011


Heavy two-way gunfire and mortar rounds have been heard in Tripoli, as rebels inch closer to the Libyan capital from the western mountains.


In the west, rebels control the road leading to the border with Tunisia. To the east, they control Misrata and Zlitan. Since taking the city of Gheryan, rebel forces have cut off the road from the south.


"Tripoli is essentially being strangled," says NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro.

...


Garcia-Navarro said it's unclear where (Gaddafi) is but that Libyans feel his departure is imminent. She said he went to great lengths in order to show he was actually speaking live by giving the date, time and other details in order to quash rumors he had fled the country.


"We really don't know what his plans are or where he is," she said. "All of the roads that lead to Tripoli from the east, from the north and from the west are in rebel control."

...


http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/npr.php?id=139826377