Bloody battles have been raging in the Libyan capital Tripoli, as reporters travelling with rebels forces say they have reached the city from the west.
Hundreds of rebels have been seen streaming in vehicles towards the city.
An AFP correspondent saw crowds of civilians running alongside rebel vehicles as they drove in at dusk.
Col Muammar Gaddafi has gone on state TV to say he will not abandon Tripoli. His supporters say he has tens of thousands of fighters to defend him.
Near a hotel used by foreign journalists in Tripoli long bursts of automatic fire could be heard on Sunday afternoon.
Rebel forces have advanced from the east and west in recent days, backed by Nato aircraft enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians.
Critics accuse the alliance of overstepping its mandate by helping the rebels - an allegation it denies.
-Bloody battles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14608807
Note: Update Record,21 August 2011 Last updated at 18:15 GMT