Libyan rebels entered Tripoli and continued their advances into the centre of the city, meeting almost no resistance along the way.
It comes as Libyan rebels told Sky News that Saif Al-Islam, Colonel Gaddafi's son, has been captured.
Sky's special correspondent Alex Crawford, accompanying the rebels, said as opposition fighters entered the city, their cars gridlocked the roads and hundreds of people came out onto the streets to greet them.
The rebels responded with celebratory gunfire, she said.
"These scenes are amazing - there are hundreds of people who have come out onto the streets to greet this convoy of rebel soldiers.
"You can hear them singing and dancing, it is an amazing scene.
"They (the rebels) had been expecting much more resistance but there has been very little.
"There is absolutely no question in their minds that they have beaten Gaddafi and it is just a question of how he will go," she added.
The advance came after the fighters captured the base of the Khamis Brigade, 16 miles west of the capital.
It is said to be one of the best-trained and equipped units in the Libyan military and is commanded by Col Gaddafi's 27-year-old son Khamis.
Aside from the main rebel movement from the west of the city, fighting also broke out in the city's Mitiga airbase, while the suburb of Tajoura reportedly also fell under rebel control.
As the rebel movement came closer to the capital, Col Gaddafi broadcast a message on state television calling on Libyan people to come from all regions and liberate Tripoli.
He said he was "afraid Tripoli will burn" but that he will remain in the city until the end.
The Libyan government also earlier appealed for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Nato's "aggression".
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