Rebels March into Tripoli as Qaddafi's Power over Libya Weakens

Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi's hold on Libya crumbled over the weekend, as rebel forces marched on the nation's capital of Tripoli and arrested the leader's two sons. While the Colonel's whereabouts remained unknown Monday, it was increasingly clear that his power over the North Africa nation was falling quickly. Qaddafi's government officials, however, remained confident that the battle would continue. Rebels announced that the forces protecting Qaddafi had surrendered, but his leadership compound remained under his force's control. Ongoing clashes between rebel forces and the Colonel's troops continued Monday. That didn't stop some citizens from celebrating the weakening strength of Qaddafi government. The National Transitional Council, which leads many of the rebels currently resisting, issued a text message saying: “We congratulate the Libyan people for the fall of Muammar Qaddafi and call on the Libyan people to go into the street to protect the public property. Long live free Libya.” The New York Times reports today that "As western leaders joined a chorus of calls for Colonel Qaddafi to step down, NATO and American officials said that the government's control of Tripoli, which had been its final stronghold, was now in doubt. The European Union said on Monday it had begun planning for a post-Qaddafi era." Qaddafi has long held a leadership position in Libya, with his reign over the country lasting more than 40 years. His leadership has not been without controversy. The United States held Libya on its list of states sponsoring terrorism from 1979 to 2006. While Libya is largely based on socialist practices, Qaddafi stated in 1979 that Libya was a democracy and gave up the title of prime minister. He has since been called the "Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolution."