UPDATE: Rebels claim Gadhafi compound captured.

UPDATE 9:02 Rebels and citizens of Tripoli insist Gadhafi compound is fully captured. Resistance has stopped. Firing that people are hearing are "celebratory blasts."

UPDATE: 8:44 Rebels report the capture of Gadhafi's compound. Rebels have brought out files and other official memorabilia from Gadhafi's residence. No news on Gadhafi. People are reported celebrating in the streets. Chants of "Allah ackbar!" are being reported.
Gunfire and artillery are still being heard throughout the city. _____

Amid rising smoke and artillery blasts, fighting in Tripoli has renewed as rebels have uninitiated what is expected to be their finals assault on Gadhafi's forces. 

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (Catholic Online) - Fighting in Tripoli may be approaching a climax as Libyan rebels have entered Gadhafi's fortified compound. The rebels are fighting their way forward amid recent embarrassment. Yesterday, they claimed to have three of Gadhafi's sons in custody, but today they have only one, claiming two of them escaped. Still it is believed that the advantage rests with the rebels and it is only a matter of time until they capture--or kill Gadhafi. 

Since the attack began this weekend, fighting has raged continuously. Government forces little to defend the city, preferring instead to concentrate on key strong points which rebel fighters have had great difficulty clearing. Key among them, Gadhafi's fortified residence.

Gadhafi's residence is actually quite large, a complex of dozens of buildings, all likely fortified by loyalist soldiers. 

While fighting has raged throughout the city, the key fight has been to capture Gadhafi. Rebels believe his capture will end the fighting in the rest of the country. For his part, Gadhafi's fighters are resisting, apparently to the death. Surrounded in Gadhafi's residence, they have no reason to surrender.

There are no official reports on casualty figures. It is still unclear if NATO is supporting the final assault. Aircraft are reported in the sky, but not bombing. The rebels are being advised caution as they advance. There are reports of suspected booby traps and tunnels throughout the complex. 

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