REBELS CLAIM TRIPOLI

AMID celebratory gunfire and jubilant singing and chanting, Libyan rebels claimed victory against the north African nation’s long-time oppressor Muammar Gaddafi in the leader’s stronghold of Tripoli.

Historic scenes of the people’s ecstasy were beamed across the world after the rebels captured a major military base that defended the regime — coming across virtually no resistance.

It was a surprisingly speedy advance on the capital, and the lack of a powerful response from government forces, combined with civilians lining the streets, waving rebel flags, con-tradicted what Gaddafi’s propaganda machine had led the world to believe.

The apparent end of a six-month battle to rid Libya of the despotic leader began when rebels took over a base 16 miles west of the capital last night. After a brief gun battle, Gaddafi’s forces fled what was once a major symbol of the regime’s power.

Once inside the base, hundreds of rebels cheered wildly and danced, raising the rebel flag on the front gate of a large wall enclosing the compound. They seized large stores of weapons, driving away with truckloads of arms.

Two of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam and Al-Saadi, were arrested and another son, Muhammad, surrendered, but it was unclear where Gaddafi himself was hiding out.

However, Libyan state television aired an angry audio message from Gaddafi urging families in Tripoli to arm themselves and fight for the capital. “I am with you in Tripoli — together until the ends of the earth,” he said. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim also claimed that 1,000 had died in 11 hours of violence in Tripoli.