Libya War: Libyans Celebrate Fall of Tripoli [PHOTOS]

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By IBTimes Staff Reporter | Aug 22, 2011 05:42 PM EDT

After rebel fighters took Tripoli over the weekend, Libyans gathered around the world to celebrate. One step closer to the fall of the Muammar Gadhafi regime, people from Libya living in cities across the globe showed solidarity and a sense of earned pride.

In the United States, a crowed gathered in front of the White House, many carrying signs that read things like "Libya is free" and "Thank you, Obama."

In Athens and Ankara, Libyans amassed to again show their disdain for their leader, destroying posters of Gadhafi and burning the green flag of his party. Since the February uprising in Libya, protestors have re-appropriated the flag of the Kingdom of Libya, waving the red, green and black banner with joy.

There is also a Libyan population in Sudan. People stormed embassy in Khartoum, where they spray painted signs and then gathered outside. There were also gatherings in front of Libyan consulates in Tunis, Tunisia and Alexandria, Egypt.

Of course, there were celebrations all around Libya, with a massive demonstration taking place in Benghazi complete with fireworks.

The whereabouts of Colonel Gaddafi are still a mystery. He has not been seen in public since June, although he recently recorded an audio-address after rebels invaded the capital. There are still Gaddafi supporters in Tripoli, but the leader reportedly abandoned the city months ago.

Saif al-Arab Gadhafi, the Libyan leader's youngest son, was killed in a NATO bombing in May. Gadhafi had a total of eight children, including seven sons and a daughter.

It is likely that his is holed up in a military compound somewhere in Libya. His son Al-Mutassim Gadhafi is currently hiding in the Bab al-Azizya compound in Tripoli, according to al-Arabiya TV.

Gadhafi has repeatedly stated that he will not leave Libya, and that he would rather die than flee. Nonetheless, rumors that a fueled Venezuelan plane is sitting on a runway somewhere in the country belies his claim, and some suspect that Gadhafi may safely settle near his friend Hugo Chavez.

Former allies Italy and South Africa have also both denounced the Libyan leader, assuring the world that Gadhafi will find no asylum in either nation.


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Fireworks explode as people gather near the courthouse in Benghazi August 22, 2011 to celebrate the entry of rebel fighters into Tripoli.

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A Libyan resident spray-paints the sign of the Libyan embassy after storming it, looking for work opportunities in Khartoum August 22, 2011.

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Demonstrators smash a poster of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a protest against Gaddafi outside of the Libyan embassy in Ankara

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Demonstrators set fire to a poster of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, copies of his Green Book and Libyan flags during a protest against Gaddafi outside of the Libyan embassy in Ankara

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Libyans living in Greece rip apart posters of Muammar Gaddafi during a protest inside Libya's consulate in Athens August 22, 2011.

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http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/202026/ ... rebels.htm

Time to bust out the old "Mission Accomplished" banner, eh?

We'll see if the rebels succeed in establishing a stable government.

what now for the country of Libya?

The corporatists in this country are salivating at the thought of "rebuilding" Libya. All that wonderful oil is ours! If we don't occu.. *ahem* rebuild their country, it'll fall into anarchy just like Iraq!

It will be taken over by Muslim thugs.

ruveyn

yes these silly muslims will thank america one moment, and burn our flag in an hour or so. Then they will forget both when the cameras show up and pose for NatGEO and TIME with peace signs and pro-democracy slogans, NYT will pat themselves on the back that these primitives could accomplish democracy on their own, and 6 months from now they elect in a regime not too distant from the one they just ousted.

But be romantic for a moment and entertain a romantic thought or two.... what NOW for the country of LiByA???

Let them enjoy their month of happiness.

ruveyn

Well they have their chance to build something better. The bar is pretty low considering the craziness of Gaddafi.

Though Tripoli hasnt fully fallen yet. Heavy fighting continues.

Still a great deal better than daffi.
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The American flag has been designed to be burned, that color scheme and the stars look great while on fire.

Don't be too sure.

ruveyn

Seems like some of the celebrations were premature. I'm not sure what to believe, his son Saif al-Islam has supposedly been captured/killed like 4 or 5 times, Muammar has supposedly fled the country even more. I have a feeling this war is not as near to its end as it has been made out to be.

It's in the final stages.

The rebels are pouring in reinforcements to Tripoli, are resupplied from abroad and have the means to secure loans until the oil comes online. Gaddafi has... whatever is stored in his fortress. That's it.

If he escapes he could fight on from Sirte, his loyalist hometown. But that's an entire country versus one small town.

Those guys didn't want Gadaffi as pres. If they put democracy and a Muslim rises, so be it, democracy has that risk of people voting for the wrong stuff, but it is better than a Monarchy in which a crazy guy does crazy stuff without having anyone to impeach him.

This guy is like a Super Villain, he keeps coming back from the dead.

Tripoli hasn't really fallen, the government forces are still there. One reporter says that at his hotel they took down the green flags and pictures of Qaddafi a couple of days ago, then they put them back!

lol epic fail.