Gambar fail, Muammar Gaddafi melambai dari keretanya di pekarangan Bab Al Azizia, Tripoli pada 10 April lalu. — Foto Reuters
TRIPOLI, 22 Ogos — Muhammad Gaddafi, anak sulung pemimpin Libya, telah menyerah diri kepada pasukan pemberontak sejurus selepas adiknya Seif al Islam ditangkap di Tripoli.
Perkembangan ini muncul enam bulan selepas pasukan pelbagai negara di bawah naungan Nato melakukan serangan ketenteraan ke atas Libya ekoran kebangkitan rakyat.
Tentera pemberontak dilaporkan mengepung kawasan pekarangan tempat tinggal Muammar Gaddafi, Bab al Aziziya, demikian menurut wakil pasukan pemberontak dipetik oleh ABC News.
Penyelaras majlis itu, Adel Dabbechi juga mengesahkan kepada Reuters tentang perkembangan tersebut.
Mohamad al Akari, seorang penasihat Majlis Kebangsaan Peralihan berkata jika Muammar masih berada di Tripoli bermakan mereka percaya yang pemimpin mengetuai Libya sejak 42 tahun lalu berada di Bab al Aziziya.
“Malam ini, ia sudah berakhir,” kata Akari.
Pasukan pemberontak memasuki kawasan Tripoli semalam buat kali pertama sejak serangan Nato bermula.
Dalam pada itu, Muammar juga memuat rayuan kedua kepada rakyatnya agar “menyelamatkan Tripoli” daripada serangan pemberontak.
Televisyen kerajaan hanya menyiarkan mesej audio.
Muammar membuat juga membuat rayuan sedemikian petang semalam.
English Version
Libyan rebels capture Tripoli and arrest dictator's son Saif: 'We'll give Gaddafi safe passage. . . if he steps down'
- Forces claim the city is totally under their control
- Thousands gather in Green Square to celebrate victory
- Gaddafi's security forces surrender to the rebels
- 375 people dead with at least 1,000 injuries
- Gaddafi says Tripoli 'is now like Baghdad' in latest audio message
- Rebels chant 'We are coming for you, frizz-head' as they enter city
- Downing Street says 'end is near' for regime
Rebel leaders have taken control of Tripoli and arrested Colonel Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam.
On a night of extraordinary developments in the Libyan capital, the rebels advanced through the city capturing the central Green Square as the regime crumbled.
Thousands took to the streets to celebrate the rebels' success, firing guns into the air, chanting loudly and destroying symbols of Gaddafi.
During their advance the rebels also confirmed that they had captured Gaddafi's son Saif. There were also unconfirmed reports another son, Muhammad, had surrendered.
Sidiq al-Kibir, the rebel leadership council's representative for the capital Tripoli, confirmed the arrest, before leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil, gave further details.
Hatred: A man stamps on a picture of Gaddafi's face in Tripoli, while thousands gathered in Benghazi to celebrate the rebels advancement
Jubilant: Thousands gathered in Green Square following its fall, firing guns into the air and destroying pictures of Gaddafi
Dancing in the streets: Rebels celebrate atop a car in Green Square
He said: ‘He is being kept in a secure place under close guard until he is handed over to the judiciary.’
The dictator’s personal security team were also reported to have been disarmed and surrendered.
The leaders of the rebels had previously announced that they would allow Gaddafi to leave safely if he announced his departure.
In a move that was designed to avoid a bloodbath, rebel chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the Libyan leader and his sons would be given a safe passage out of the country.
The dictator’s personal security team were also reported to have been disarmed and surrendered.
Mahmoud Shammam, the rebel minister of information, said that the unit commander 'has joined the revolution and ordered his soldiers to drop their weapons.'
On the move: Hundreds of cars filled the roads going into Tripoli, carrying some of the 25,000 rebel troops reportedly heading for the city
Advance: Rebels move towards the captured 27th bridge area of Tripoli during their move into the city
Running for cover: Three rebels come under fire in of the town of Mala
Gaddafi’s supporters insisted that thousands of fighters were ready to defend him to the death and warned that blood would run in the streets amid reports of heavy gunfire elsewhere in the city.
During their advance on the city rebel forces were being pounded by rockets, anti-aircraft shells and mortars, and there were fears that with Nato unable to support them from the air at such close quarters there could be military and civilian deaths on a massive scale.
One official said: ‘What Nato can do is very limited if there is street-by-street fighting.’
Gaddafi had also placed snipers on tall buildings with orders to shoot ‘anything that moves’. At least 375 people were reported killed on both sides and more than 1,000 wounded.
Colonel Gaddafi has called on his supporters to try and save the capital of Tripoli in an audio message, while his son Saif al-Islam has already been arrested by the rebel forces
The dramatic developments came on the second day of attacks by rebel ‘sleeper cells’ which had been secretly armed in a daring plot to end the six-month civil war.
Their sporadic attacks within the city gained crucial support from bigger armies advancing unopposed into Tripoli’s outer suburbs.
In a decisive step, rebel forces yesterday seized the base of the Khamis Brigade – one of the best-trained and equipped units in the Libyan military, commanded by a son of Gaddafi.
They faced no opposition as they then marched 15 miles to Janzour, a western suburb of Tripoli which lies within striking distance of Gaddafi’s compound in the centre of the sprawling capital.
They were greeted by civilians lining the streets and waving rebel flags.
As one force of rebels arrived from the west, another was setting up checkpoints in suburbs on the eastern outskirts.
Celebration: A man cheers as he and a group of rebels advance through the town of Maia, around 25kms west of Tripoli
Happy: These rebels show their delight as they advance on Tripoli. There were reports that hundreds of residents took to the streets to show their support
Rebel forces have advanced on Tripoli and claim Gaddafi's 42-year rule is on its last legs
Libyan rebels running for cover during fighting near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli today
Unconfirmed reports said a group of fighters slipped into Tripoli by sea – travelling from further down the coast in Misrata – and engaged pro-Gaddafi forces in the city’s eastern Tajoura district.
In a short audio address tonight, Gaddafi urged his supporters from both inside and outside Tripoli to try and save the city.
He added that the city now 'looked like Baghdad' and was being destroyed.
'How come you allow Tripoli the capital, to be under occupation once again?' he said. 'The traitors are paving the way for the occupation forces to be deployed in Tripoli.'
He called on his supporters to march in the streets of the capital and 'purify it' from 'the rats.'
Earlier he urged his citizens to drive out ‘these rats’, adding: ‘I am with you in Tripoli – together until the ends of the earth. I am giving the order to open the weapons stockpiles. I call on all Libyans to join this fight. Those who are afraid, give your weapons to your mothers or sisters.
‘Go out, I am with you until the end. I am in Tripoli. We will win.’
His bluster was matched by a female presenter on the state-run TV channel al-Libiyah.
She brandished a gun and declared that the channel’s staff are ready to become martyrs if faced with a rebel attack
Waving it at the camera, she said: ‘With this weapon, I either kill or die today.’
Smouldering: A vehicle belonging to forces loyal to Gaddafi smokes close to the the military base that forces attacked earlier today
Closing in: Libyan rebels take position during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli
‘We are all armed here and even those without a weapon are willing to be a shield in order to protect their colleagues at this channel. We are willing to become martyrs.’
Surrounded by rebels advancing from the west, south and east, Gaddafi’s spokesman insisted his forces would not surrender.
Moussa Ibrahim claimed there are ‘thousands and thousands of soldiers who are willing to defend the city’ and that ‘the blood will run everywhere so they may as well fight to the end.’
The fighting inside Tripoli – combined with rebel advances to the outskirts of the city – signalled the decisive phase in a conflict which has become the bloodiest of the ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings and the only one to embroil several Nato powers.
Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam in a recorded speech aired on Libyan television today describing rebel claims of military victories against government forces as 'illusionary gains'
Ready for martyrdom: This female TV presenter on the state run channel said that its staff were willing to die for the cause
Message: An opponent of Gaddafi outside the Libyan embassy in Tunis today
One of Gaddafi’s former right-hand men, Abdel Salam Jalloud, who defected and fled to Italy on Friday, said the dictator would be toppled ‘within ten days, maybe even less’.
Adbel Hafiz Ghoga, a senior official with the rebel National Transitional Council, said: ‘The zero hour has started.’
He added: ‘There is coordination with the rebels in Tripoli. This was a pre-set plan. They’ve been preparing for a while. There’s coordination with the rebels approaching from the east, west and south.’
The latest – and possibly decisive – phase in the battle began after prayers on Saturday night when mosques in the capital broadcast messages urging civilians to fight.
They rallied local people to take up arms against Gaddafi’s regime with chants of Allahu Akbar (God is Great) being broadcast from loudspeakers.
Last night their battle continued within the city as their fellow rebels advanced from all sides. Those marching from the west chanted: ‘We are coming for you, frizz-head.’
One of their number, Issam Wallani, stated defiantly: ‘We are not going back. God willing.’
Despite the jubilation among rebel forces, Gaddafi’s fall is far from certain. His security forces have not yet buckled under the new onslaught – and the uprising has so far been contained to four areas of the capital.
Ashour Shamis, a UK-based opposition activist, said the dictator’s options were dwindling. ‘Gaddafi’s chances for a safe exit are diminishing by the hour,’ he said.
‘The longer, he stays the narrower his base, and the easier it will be for him to be caught or killed.’
Downing Street said tonight that 'the end is near' for Colonel Gaddafi and called on the Libyan leader to go to avoid more suffering for his people.
Germany and France also stepped up calls for the dictator to quit.
In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel said it would be good if Gaddafi ‘gave up as quickly as possible’ to avoid further bloodshed.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: ‘We hope that the last days of this unjust regime have begun.’
And French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Gaddafi to ‘spare his people further useless suffering’ by stepping down immediately.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement that the sooner Gaddafi 'realizes that he cannot win the battle against his own people, the better.'
'The Libyan people have suffered tremendously under Gaddafi's rule for more than four decades. Now they have a chance for a new beginning.'
Q&A: THE ADVANCE ON TRIPOLI
How close is the fall of Tripoli?
The speed of the rebels’ advance over the weekend has been rapid with some just four miles from the centre last night as their guns were heard in the suburbs. Crucially, they control food and fuel supplies to the Libyan capital – increasing pressure on Gaddafi loyalists who are also suffering power cuts. Gaddafi is constantly moving between his many bunkers and his priority is now survival rather than strategy-making. Many Libyans say Tripoli will fall to the rebels by the end of Ramadan on August 31.
How will the rebels take control?
The last thing Nato planners want is a messy, final battle in a ruined Tripoli. The great fear is of huge numbers of civilian casualties among the two million population since Nato’s ability to use air power diminishes the closer anti-Gaddafi forces get to the city.
The last thing Nato planners want is a messy, final battle in a ruined Tripoli. The great fear is of huge numbers of civilian casualties among the two million population since Nato’s ability to use air power diminishes the closer anti-Gaddafi forces get to the city.
Will pockets of resistance remain?
Once Gaddafi and his sons have gone, his remaining troops will have little incentive to go on risking their lives. That will particularly be the case for those African mercenaries who have been in the pay of Gaddafi. The regime’s most diehard supporters will probably flee.
Once Gaddafi and his sons have gone, his remaining troops will have little incentive to go on risking their lives. That will particularly be the case for those African mercenaries who have been in the pay of Gaddafi. The regime’s most diehard supporters will probably flee.
Will Gaddafi flee Libya or try to tough it out?
If he stays in Libya, he will be tried by the National Transitional Council and almost certainly executed. The same fate is likely to await his sons, especially Saif al Islam, a former playboy who now espouses extreme Islamist views. Gaddafi’s only alternative is to try to flee Libya although he will find it impossible to go to any country that is a member of the International Criminal Court because it would be legally obliged to extradite him. This means escape to Venezuela and his former ally Hugo Chavez, or to Jacob Zuma’s South Africa, is not on the cards. That leaves the international pariah nation of Zimbabwe as a possible option.
If he stays in Libya, he will be tried by the National Transitional Council and almost certainly executed. The same fate is likely to await his sons, especially Saif al Islam, a former playboy who now espouses extreme Islamist views. Gaddafi’s only alternative is to try to flee Libya although he will find it impossible to go to any country that is a member of the International Criminal Court because it would be legally obliged to extradite him. This means escape to Venezuela and his former ally Hugo Chavez, or to Jacob Zuma’s South Africa, is not on the cards. That leaves the international pariah nation of Zimbabwe as a possible option.
Do the Nato forces want him to face a public trial?
For the last few weeks, French and British politicians have been talking about Gaddafi being allowed to retire to somewhere in Libya’s southern deserts as part of their campaign to encourage his departure. If they keep to their word, Nato countries’ leaders are unlikely to demand he is put on trial.
For the last few weeks, French and British politicians have been talking about Gaddafi being allowed to retire to somewhere in Libya’s southern deserts as part of their campaign to encourage his departure. If they keep to their word, Nato countries’ leaders are unlikely to demand he is put on trial.
Who are the rebel leaders and how would they form a government?
Rebel leaders have adopted anonymity to avoid possible reprisals against family members still living in pro-Gaddafi areas. The National Transitional Council is based in the western rebel bastion of Benghazi and consists of professional people and defectors from Gaddafi’s regime. There is a separate, mainly ethnic Berber rebel leadership in the eastern Nafusa mountains. So far during the rebellion, each town liberated from the Gaddafi regime has to form a ruling civilian committee under a governor, who then appoints an executive committee to handle issues such as security, food, fuel, waste collection and health. However, running a small town is not the same as running a country and these are only stop-gap measures.
Rebel leaders have adopted anonymity to avoid possible reprisals against family members still living in pro-Gaddafi areas. The National Transitional Council is based in the western rebel bastion of Benghazi and consists of professional people and defectors from Gaddafi’s regime. There is a separate, mainly ethnic Berber rebel leadership in the eastern Nafusa mountains. So far during the rebellion, each town liberated from the Gaddafi regime has to form a ruling civilian committee under a governor, who then appoints an executive committee to handle issues such as security, food, fuel, waste collection and health. However, running a small town is not the same as running a country and these are only stop-gap measures.
Aren’t the rebels divided along tribal lines?
Libyans claim that stories of tribal rivalries are grossly exaggerated and that the rebels are fighting a unified battle for a single democratic Libya. The truth is that Libya is not like Iraq, with its broad divisions of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds. So far there has been little tribal conflict. On the other hand, no one really knows how powerful Islamist groups might prove to be in the country.
Libyans claim that stories of tribal rivalries are grossly exaggerated and that the rebels are fighting a unified battle for a single democratic Libya. The truth is that Libya is not like Iraq, with its broad divisions of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds. So far there has been little tribal conflict. On the other hand, no one really knows how powerful Islamist groups might prove to be in the country.
How soon will there be democratic elections?
Not for a long time. The National Transitional Council says they will be held in two years, once a new constitution has been put in place. Delaying elections will allow moderate secular parties time to form and catch up with the already powerful Islamist groups who operate through their networks of mosques. The big problem being faced across the newly-democratised Middle East – in Tunisia and Egypt, for example – is how to transform single-issue pressure groups such as those fighting corruption and advocating women’s rights into broader-based parties which can appeal to moderate voters.
Not for a long time. The National Transitional Council says they will be held in two years, once a new constitution has been put in place. Delaying elections will allow moderate secular parties time to form and catch up with the already powerful Islamist groups who operate through their networks of mosques. The big problem being faced across the newly-democratised Middle East – in Tunisia and Egypt, for example – is how to transform single-issue pressure groups such as those fighting corruption and advocating women’s rights into broader-based parties which can appeal to moderate voters.
What role would Britain and others play?
Having helped topple Gaddafi, Britain and France will be duty-bound to offer advice and assistance to those making Libya’s transition to democracy. The British government has already assigned that role to International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell. Apart from restoring Libya’s oil and gas exports (which will fund the cost of reform so that the British taxpayer doesn’t have to), there will be advice on how to establish and operate democratic political parties. The biggest long-term problem will involve ensuring that Libya’s potentially huge oil and gas revenues are equitably distributed between the regions and used to reduce the country’s chronic youth unemployment levels.
Having helped topple Gaddafi, Britain and France will be duty-bound to offer advice and assistance to those making Libya’s transition to democracy. The British government has already assigned that role to International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell. Apart from restoring Libya’s oil and gas exports (which will fund the cost of reform so that the British taxpayer doesn’t have to), there will be advice on how to establish and operate democratic political parties. The biggest long-term problem will involve ensuring that Libya’s potentially huge oil and gas revenues are equitably distributed between the regions and used to reduce the country’s chronic youth unemployment levels.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2028415/Libya-Tripoli-captured-rebels-Colonel-Gaddafis-son-Saif-arrested.html#ixzz1ViQ2UJWT
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