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By Miriam Raftery
August 21, 2011 (San Diego) Rebel forces have streamed into Tripoli tonight, taking control of the capitol city.
“An amateur league of ill-trained rebel fighters appeared to be on the bring of toppling Moammar Gadhafi’s 42-year rule Monday after capturing two of the leader’s sons and infiltrating the Libyan capital, “ CNN reports.
Al Jazeera reports that Gadhafi’s defenses have “crumbled” and confirms capture of his two sons. The Washington Post reports that Gadhafi’s palace forces have surrendered to the rebels.
Tonight the White House has issued a statement recognizing the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority in Libya..
"The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator," President Barack Obama said. "The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Qadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all."
He called on the TNC to respect the rights of the people of Libya by avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya. "The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people," the President concluded. "We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy."
Libyan government representative Mussa Ibrahim claims 1,300 Libyans have been killed in the assault.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/21/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110821. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14611277 http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/22/libya.war/index.html?iref=BN1...
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/1300-dead-in-attack-on-tripol...
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/08/201182122425905430.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-rebels-converging...
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-statement-libya_590495.html
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