Rebels pushing to secure Tripoli

Libyan rebels and forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi have fought running battles in Tripoli, a day after the fugitive leader's compound was overrun.



There have been fierce firefights in Bab al-Aziziya, as well as in several southern and central areas of the city.



However, foreign journalists have been allowed to leave a hotel where they have been confined for several days.



Col Gaddafi's whereabouts are unknown, but overnight he vowed in a speech to fight until victory or martyrdom.



A pro-regime television channel, al-Uruba, broadcast an audio statement in which he said his decision to leave his Bab al-Aziziya compound was a "tactical" move.



He urged Libyans to cleanse the streets of "traitors, infidels and rats", and said he had "been out a bit in Tripoli discreetly, without being seen".



"It did not feel like Tripoli had fallen or someone had marched into it."Later, the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) offered an amnesty to anyone within Col Gaddafi's "inner circle" who captured or killed him. It said a Libyan businessman was also offering a $1.67m (£1m) reward.



Correspondents say it is an obvious attempt to sow divisions among Gaddafi loyalists.



Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi told the UK's Channel 4 News that it appeared Col Gaddafi had exhausted all his options, including fleeing abroad, and that his rule "was over".



Rebel commanders had earlier said it was vital to capture Col Gaddafi to eliminate any chance he could strike back.



They insisted it was only a matter of time before he was found, but conceded they had no indication of where he might have taken refuge.



One rebel official, who gave his name as Abdul Rahman, told the Reuters news agency that it was thought that Col Gaddafi was still in Tripoli, possibly in the al-Hadhba al-Khadra area, where there was fighting.



He is also believed to retain a strong following in two other cities - Sirte, his hometown 450km (280 miles) to the east of the capital, and Sabha, 650km to the south in the desert.



Analysts say Sabha has a significant military and air force base and, if Col Gaddafi and his family can reach it, it would provide them the option of easy desert escape routes into Niger or Chad.



A rebel spokesman told the BBC that negotiations were going on with local leaders in Sabha and Sirte seeking a peaceful end to the conflict.