Libyan rebels were seeking to consolidate control on Tripoli, as they seized a main border crossing with Tunisia after battling Gaddafi loyalists there.
Libyan rebels were seeking to consolidate control on Tripoli, as they seized a main border crossing with Tunisia after battling Gaddafi loyalists there.
Most of the remnants of Muammar Gaddafi were pushed to the southern outskirts of the capital.
Reports said that rebels were focusing in central Tripoli to clear out any pro-Gaddafi loyalists that may still be hiding. However there were still some tensions southeast of the city, down near the airport.
Rebel fighters also took control of Ras Jdir a key border post with Tunisia following battles with the strongman loyalists, Tunisia's official news agency reported.
The Ras Ajdir crossing is the primary crossing between the two countries and would allow them to more easily bring supplies into Libya.
NATO INTENSIFIES RAIDS ON GADDAFI'S HOME TOWN
On the other hand, NATO kept up pressure on Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte, bombing 15 vehicles and four other ground targets in the last 24 hour, the alliance said Saturday.
The western alliance said in its daily operational update that it had destroyed 11 vehicles mounted with weapons, three logistic military vehicles and one armored fighting vehicle on Friday.
NATO also struck two military shelters, a military observation point and a military engineer asset in the vicinity of Sirte, 360 kilometres (225 miles) east of Tripoli.
The strikes follow a bombing raid by British warplanes against a large headquarters bunker in Sirte late Thursday.
GADDAFI POSSIBLY LEFT TO ALGERIA
As one potential escape route for Gaddafi was closed off, Egyptian state news agency MENA quoted a rebel source as saying a motorcade of six armored cars that could be carrying Libyan officials, even Gaddafi, crossed into Algeria.
The source was quoted as saying the column of vehicles had been escorted by pro-government troops until it entered the town of Ghadames in Algeria. Rebels had not been able to pursue them as they lacked munitions and equipment.
"We think they (the cars) were carrying high Libyan officials, possibly Gaddafi and his sons," the source said.
Algeria declined to recognize the NTC on Friday, insisting it would adhere to the policy of "strict neutrality" adopted since the start of the conflict.
A foreign ministry statement was the first official comment from Algiers since the NTC took control of the capital in neighboring Libya, even as other countries in the region have been quick to endorse the rebels.
"AVOID REPRISALS"
On the other hand, the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League and the European Union urged both sides in Libya to avoid reprisals, EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton said after talks of the so-called Cairo Group.
"Colonel Gaddafi must avoid further bloodshed by relinquishing power and calling on those forces that continue to fight to lay down their arms and protect civilians," Ashton said after a video conference.
She added: "Today, under UN leadership, we agreed to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian and international human rights obligations. There should be no reprisals."
Ashton said furthermore that the Cairo Group, which also includes the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, "emphasized that the transition in Libya should be Libyan-led and inclusive."
For his part, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said after the talks, which he chaired, that an international police force may need to be sent to Libya, which is "awash" with small arms.
