Battle of Tripoli

Heavy fighting is reported around Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi’s compound as rebels say government forces still control up to a fifth of Tripoli.

Rebel forces are advancing towards Sirte, which is halfway between the rebel-stronghold of Benghazi and Tripoli. There are reports that Gadhafi’s forces have begun retreating, thanks to military intervention from the U.S. and allied intervention.

The New York Times’ David Kirkpatrick is on the Libyan border. He reports that Libyans are preparing to fight for Tripoli as areas nearby appear to be in the opposition’s control. The question of whether Col. Gadhafi will leave Libya has yet to be answered.