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Libyan rebel leader says Gaddafi’s capture to score final victory

22 August 2011 18:32 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The real victory of Libyan revolution lies in the capture of Gaddafi, said Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the head of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC), at a press conference on Monday.

Jalil said that Muammar Gaddafi’s era was over and he would be given a fair trial if he was captured alive.

Tripoli is under the rebels’ full control except for Bab al- Aziziya, which is known as Gaddafi’s longtime command center, said Jalil.

However, he said that Gaddafi’s whereabouts remained unknown.

Jalil noted that nationwide, Surt and Sabah are still under the control of Gaddafi forces. But he said he believed Gaddafi forces will rise up from within when the blockades in these places are broken.

Gaddafi’s elder son Mohammed and second son Saif al-Islam are both under custody of rebels in safe places, Jalil said.

Jalil said that new Libya will be a mild state and a responsible member of the international community, with Tripoli as the future capital.

Libyan people will be protected from political assassination, arrests and hanging, and the rebels will put down weapons as soon as peace is achieved, he stressed.

The rebel leader said that Gaddafi’s dream of dividing Libya was shattered and he would only be remembered for his acts against Libya and the world.

Jalil said that the new government will work to achieve safety, security, peace and prosperity for the people.

Libyan rebel forces took control of most of Tripoli on Sunday night and were still clearing up the remnants of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

Residents in Tripoli flocked into the streets overnight to welcome the rebel forces, while thousands were celebrating the victory of the Libyan rebels in the opposition’s stronghold Benghazi.