Libyan rebels have reached the highly symbolic Green Square in the centre of Tripoli, Sky News reported, showing scenes of jubilant crowds gathered there.
Young men, many waving the red, black and green flag of anti-regime forces, were shouting and dancing in obvious joy, shouting Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) and some firing rifles into the air.
GADDAFI GUARDS 'DROP WEAPONS'
A senior rebel official said the military unit in charge of protecting Gaddafi and the capital had surrendered.
Mahmoud Shammam, the rebel minister of information, told the Associated Press that the unit commander "has joined the revolution and ordered his soldiers to drop their weapons".
When the unit dropped its arms, it essentially opened the way for the rebels to enter the city with little resistance.
As many of the men flashed V-for-victory signs and shouted "tell Muammar (Gaddafi) and his sons that Libya has men," a Sky correspondent said people were lighting fires with posters of the Libyan strongman and the solid green flag of the regime that they had torn down.
The iconic square, built by Libya's Italian colonial rulers, was named Independence Square under the monarchy that emerged after World War II. Following the Libyan strongman's seizure of power in 1969, it was renamed Green Square to mark his political movement.
It was the site of protests at the beginning of the anti-regime movement in February of this year, and counter-demonstrations by Gaddafi supporters, and Gaddafi spoke to thousands of supporters there on a number of occasions.
GADDAFI SON ARRESTED
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam, for whom the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for crimes against humanity, is in detention, the ICC prosecutor said Monday.
"I have received confidential information stating he has been arrested," Luis Moreno-Ocampo told AFP.
"We hope he can soon be in the Hague" to face judgement, he said, adding that he planned to contact the "Libyan transitional government" later in the day.
Moreno-Ocampo said the ICC "is ready to help Libyans to deal with their difficult past" and ensure that "no crime remains unpunished".
Earlier, the chairman of Libya's rebel National Transitional Council told Al-Jazeera television from Benghazi he had "information that Seif al-Islam has been captured".
"He is being kept in a secure place under close guard until he is handed over to the judiciary," Abdel Jalil said, without giving a date or place for the reported capture of Gaddafi's son.
Before the revolt which erupted in February, Seif al-Islam was increasingly seen as the successor to his father, despite publicly ruling out any dynastic ambitions in the North African country.
He long served as the face of the regime in the West as he appeared in suits and ties and spoke fluent English.
