Libyan rebel fighters are reportedly on the streets of Tripoli, as witnesses report explosions, sustained gunfire and anti-Gaddafi protests in the capital.

Video: Sky's Ian Woods reports from Gharyan, south of Tripoli

The scale of the unrest is unclear, but speculation is rife that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold could fall to the opposition.

Tripoli residents said there were anti-Gaddafi protesters in the streets.

"We can hear shooting in different places," said one. "Most of the regions of the city have gone out, mostly young people.... it's the uprising... They went out after breaking the (Ramadan) fast."

An opposition activist in Tripoli told Reuters news agency an unknown number of insurgents had been killed in the suburb of Qadah and elsewhere.

He said rebels have surrounded a military airbase called Mitiga in the Tajourah district.

It has also been claimed that residents have received a text message urging them to "go out into the streets and eliminate agents with weapons".

However, the Libyan leader urged supporters to "march by the millions" and end the rebellion.

"We have to put an end to this masquerade. You must march by the millions to free the destroyed towns," he said in a live audio message on state television.

Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim insisted "all of Tripoli is safe and stable".





The rebel movements come as the Libyan rebel chief, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, said "the end is very near" for Col Gaddafi.

"We have contacts with people from the inner circle of Gaddafi," he said.

"All evidence shows that the end is very near, with God's grace."

Rumours have suggested Col Gaddafi is preparing to flee Libya.

He added: "I expect a catastrophic end for him and his inner circle, and I expect that he will create a situation within Tripoli.

"I hope my expectation is wrong."

Sky correspondent Ian Woods, in Gharyan, south of Tripoli, said: "We have been hearing lots of celebratory gunfire and it's been going on for several hours now.

"There's an air of jubiliation here because they think something is happening even if they don't quite understand what it is.

"They have heard rumours that Col Gaddafi has left or is preparing to leave with his sons. They believe it is true and have heard reports of gunfire and perhaps an uprising within Tripoli.

"But what the truth is and what is rumour and supposition, it is difficult to say."





Rebels claimed to have captured the eastern oil town of Brega, but a rebel military spokesman later said his fighters lost the industrial area to Gaddafi troops.

Earlier, opposition forces celebrated retaking control of Martyr Square in the key coastal town of Zawiyah.

They also say they have seized Zliten from Col Gaddafi's forces, 93 miles east of Tripoli.

Sky News witnessed the fresh assault in Zawiyah as opposition forces used new weapons and ammunition supplies to take the square.

There was jubilation as the town's iconic square fell, with celebratory gunfire ringing out and delighted rebels circling the area in their cars.