Day by day account of the fighting

8/22 Rebel forces seem to take control of the capital city of Tripoli; three of Gadhafi’s sons are under arrest, but Gadhafi can’t be found.  Pundits and officials don’t believe he has left Libya, but no one knows.  In a larger context, this is part of what is being called “the Mid-Eastern Spring,” meaning that many Middle Eastern countries are experiencing significant civil unrest as large groups of citizens protest the authoritarian regimes.  Syria may be next  (Laub and Hubbard “Libyan Rebels Easily Enter") .

8/23 It appears some of Gadhafi’s forces are still hanging on more strongly than expected and nothing is certain yet.  Nevertheless, some revelers are already celebrating in the streets and the Green Square has been renamed Martyrs’ Square, its name before the Gadhafi regime took power more than 40 years ago. Google has been quick to change the name on its map of Tripoli- wonder where its sentiments lie.  There are concerns about how smoothly the rebel forces will be able to transition to a democratic government (Laub and  Hubbard “Gadhafi Regime").  One ripple effect of this internal Libyan conflict is affecting the cost of oil worldwide. Because Libya has so much oil (the largest reserves in Africa) and experts expect it will be more available for the rest of us (especially Europe which had been its primary customer) than it has been under Gadhafi, oil prices fell yesterday.  Apparently at least one of the sons was not captured as he made an appearance in Tripoli today vowing to continue the fight ("BBC Newshour").

8/24  Foreign correspondents are under siege in the Rixos Hotel as Gadhafi’s forces still have control of that spot and are not permitting reporters to leave; tension and anxiety is mounting although they still have limited supplies of food and water.  Gadhafi’s second son, who was mistakenly reported captured yesterday, has been seen in Tripoli smiling and claiming the regime’s forces are winning the battle, even though news reports clearly say that is not the case.  Gadhafi himself delivered a radio message from an unknown location promising ‘martyrdom or victory’.  The US and other countries are preparing to release Libyan assets that have been frozen by banks because of Libya’s terrorist connections under Gadhafi.  These monies will be necessary for a new government to function and rebuild Libya (Hubbard and Laub “Libyan Rebels Storm Gadhafi’s Compound”).
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8/25  Rebels continue to fight pockets of Gadhafi supporters in Tripoli and the surrounding territory.  Gadhafi sent out another audio message encouraging those loyal to him to continue fighting, but the NTC has taken charge in the capital and is beginning to set up their government.  Canada has recognized the new Libyan governments representative to Ottawa and has raised the new Libyan flag there. Gadhafi’s compound has been overrun and as his families properties are taken, a bizarre obsession with living underground is surfacing (Hubbard and  Laub “Libyan Rebels Hunt Gadhafi”).   Like all dictators (see the controlling society in 1984), it appears the Gadhafi family lived in constant fear and took extraordinary measures to protect themselves.