[11:10 p.m. ET, 5:50 a.m. in Libya] Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, eldest son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, derided rebels and NATO for their efforts to take their fight inside Tripoli.
"We are in our land, in our country. We have no problem if it takes six months, one year or two years, victory will be ours. This is our country and we will not leave it," he said on Libyan state TV.
"Didn't they say that today, August 20, will be the day they take back Tripoli”
[9:50 p.m. ET, 3:50 a.m. in Libya] Below are translated quotes from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's televised speech a few hours ago:
"Greeting to all of you gathered at the Green Square in Bab Al-Aziziya when you were gathered earlier. I tried to join you but my security did not allow me. We congratulate you for getting rid of those rats that were discovered tonight and who were attacked and defeated by the crowds ...
We did not picture that Ramadan this year would look like this. Who transformed our happiness to Sadness? Who transformed Libya’s Green face to a black one? Who brought the Christians’ Airplanes to kill our children everyday and applauded? Who is the Libyan who applauded as the NATO airplanes kill our Children every night and day during the month of Ramadan? Can we call such a person a Libyan, a Muslim or even a human being? Not even Satan would do such a thing...
What have we done to France or Britain or Italy or Norway or the Denmark? You brought them here. You want to give them our oil. If you rule Libya, you will hand Libyan oil to the French people. Sarkozy wants to take Libyan oil and give it to his people. You are just a tool that they are using and providing with weapons so you can give him Libya on a Golden platter. This is clear to everyone...
This is not a Libyan roject, this is not the Project of any Libyan or any tribe or any young Libyan. Its impossible. The Libyan youths love Moammar...
They have lost and used everything and their last resort is their lying campaign. They will end with it the same way they started with it. Now this is the ending."
[8:20 p.m. ET, 2:20 a.m. in Libya] Faithi Baja, political affairs chief for the rebel's Transitional National Council, said in a video statement that the operation "is going easily" and opposition fighters are inching toward Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizia compound.
Rebel spokesman Jumma Ibrahim said clashes in Tripoli were "planned by rebels inside Tripoli in the neighborhoods of Fashloum, Souq al-Juma, Ben Ashur ... and other places." This came after coordination with other anti-Gadhafi elements, added Baja.
But speaking just before midnight in Tripoli, government spokesman Musa Ibrahim insisted that all is safe and well.
[8:20 p.m. ET, 2:20 a.m. in Libya] In a live audio address, Gadhafi blasted the rebel "traitors" and the NATO forces backing them as unethical and intent on destroying the county and ruining lives.
As he had done in a speech six days earlier, he tried to rally citizens to his side.
"A great thing, anyway, that despite the Christian air raids, you continue to be up in Tripoli," he said, an apparent reference to those who listened to his speech from Green Square. "March forward, march forward, march forward."
[8:07 p.m. ET, 2:07 a.m. in Libya] Gunfire erupts outside the hotel where CNN's Matthew Chance is staying after Gadhafi finishes his speech, Chance says via Twitter.
Gadhafi spoke on the phone live on Libya state TV, Chance said. He gave the correct date and time in an effort to prove he was speaking live, Chance said.
Follow CNN's Matthew Chance on Twitter
[7:53 p.m. ET, 1:53 a.m. in Libya] Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was heard speaking on Libyan state TV early Sunday.
The broadcaster characterized the comments – which come amid reports of intensified fighting in Tripoli and shortly after a rebel spokesman's claimed that opposition fighters have taken the "revolution" inside the capital – as live.
The audio address was also aired in Tripoli's Green Square, where Gadhafi supporters were gathered.
[7:33 p.m. ET, 1:33 a.m. in Libya] Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi makes public address on Libyan state TV, CNN's Matthew Chance reports via Twitter.
[5:39 p.m. ET, 11:39 p.m. in Libya] Libyan government spokesman Musa Ibrahim said late Saturday that all is safe and well in Tripoli, despite reports of intense fighting and a rebel spokesman's claim that an opposition offensive had been launched in the capital.
Ibrahim added that the government of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi remains in control of Tripoli.
Analysis: As Libyan conflict grinds on, NATO's mission shifts
[5:05 p.m. ET, 11:05 p.m. in Libya] Libyan rebels have taken their fight inside Tripoli, home to embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi, a rebel spokesman said early Sunday.
[4:55 p.m. ET, 10:55 p.m. in Libya] Heavy clashes broke out late Saturday in a Tripoli neighborhood, marked by intense gunfire, explosions and people screaming as they ran through the street, a resident of the Libyan capital told CNN.
FULL STORY
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WOW is the end of Gadhafi HERE?
I hope so
Looks like it!
Gadhaffi will probably go to South America.
I read at Tripoli Post last night they, the rebels took Tripoli Airport, with reported 10,000 man army, it this is true,
WOWWWWWWWWWWW
Gadhafi is either looking for a new country or he will digging a hole at the sametime!
Jacj johnson...you grow a brain! you damn moron! there is no way humanly possible that under 10,000 rag tag al-qaeda terrorist could have done this by themselves!! your an idiot!!
Shame on you, mar.
Well Gadhafi started 15 wars in Africa and Asia and bombed nearly 20 countries, pay back is best served cold,
As for sorry what were you talking about, I don't really care.
So you were there to see this GROWUP
Yeah, I'm sure the Tripoli residents really appreciate it rebels!!!!
Don't be surprised if the neighborhood snuffs you rebels out. That's crazy.
Take that junk outside city limits!
A man named Sylvester would know, wouldn't he?
Not all neighborhoods in tripoli support gaddafi. Last time I heard, loyalist troops have fled from certain neighborhoods.
English and French spcial forces have been on the ground aiding the rebels for 3 months already and acting as forward observers for NATO airstrikes during that time.
THAT IS EXATCLY WHAT IS GOING ON! MISSION CREEP! I pray that gadaffi's forces captures them,parades them in front of the camera's then executes them for illegally invading their country to defend some AL-QAEDA TERROSIT!!
Boo hoo hoo, what are you gonna do, cry about it? The Libyan people will be free! LOL!
Good for the British and French, hmmm they are doing a good job, do you really hear anyone crying about it?
Maybe ever so slightly. Gadhafi is like Iran, in just different ways, who is next makes you wonder?
Yes that is true boots on the ground are a necessity for operations such as these.Only folks without military background would not know this.No they will not be captured as they are protected to the absolute max. Anyone one trying to do so will die a violent death -FACT!
Hopefully then we can get that oil on the low and then the prices over here in the states will go down.
mar is either a troll or a pro-gadaffi agent
he`s gadaffi`s puppet, brainwashed to worship that idiot of man, petty dictator.
GHMAHIA....
YOU seem to forget that AMERICA is the country that propped up MUBAREK FOR 32 YEARS! AMERICA is the country that has armed the now muslim brotherhood to the teeth with over TWO HUNDRED ATTACK FIGHTER PLANES that they are going to use with the help of these same rebels who you are hyping up to attack isreal!
mar please put you tin foil hat back on.
I am really a terrified servant of Master Gadhafi. He chains me to this computer for hours at a time, checking up on me frequently. I can hear the shells in the distance as well as the gunfire. I have made arrangements for my family and they are in a safe hiding place away from his eminence's henchmen. The sounds are getting closer and I have just soiled myself. It's all I can do to keep from crying. Hopefully, we will all be free soon from this tyranny. Stay thirsty my friends.
In my heart of hearts, I do not believe those fighting are Al Queda. I think they are tired of all the B.S. and have been fighting for this long for true independence with a representative government.
LOL, long live the Libyan revolution...here's hoping they have a stable transition. Sell us that oil, boys, we're paying d*mn good money for it, LOL!
The final assault has begun and now the end is very near for Colonel Quakey. The evil one and family will now die at the hands of the rebels.
HA HA, GADDAFI, YOU ARE NEARLY FINISHED.
The Libyan people who you hate so much are finishing you off quickly now!!!
freedom e getting to your country, rejoice!
The only person going on parade is Ghadafi, if the world is to move forward all authoritarian dictators must go to some form of Representative Government.
I don't know where you get your information, but you got it all wrong. You just want to demonize NATO for helping the rebellion in Libya. Saying the Rebels are terrorists and NATO has troops on the ground ect... is just your way of anger that we (US and others) got involved in another foreign conflict. Actually the rebels and rebel supporters out number Gadhafi supporters. Entire Libyan cities cheer and pray for freedom from Gadhafi's regime. This is not BS or propaganda, my cousin is a Libyan national, and has only recently fled to Tunisia and came to the US, he himself has told me of what the Libyan people in general want, and trust me when I say, they do not want Gadhafi anymore.
Soon our Internet websites will be free of pro-Gaddafi trolls posting their pro-Gaddafi and anti-NATO trash.
if you were half as smart as you think you are,you would try to find out who we are defending? start off with IBRAHIM BIN QUMU and Abdel Hakim Al-Hisadi and work your way from there.
then lets see if your honest enough to call for obama to be impeached!
Agree, Who cares what Gadhafi moron say or do, careful and forward.
Libya is earning their way Gadhafi soldier at a time. Soon I hope it comes, smiles.
Many families from many places will be happy to see him fall.
Country recovers and moves on and people resume a normal life of school, work and people wander into local markets again.
The tourist return, business start a new day. And ................... wonderful I hope!
Like mar?