2:50 pm

Brent crude has dropped more than $3 to below $106 a barrel on the potential for a resumption of exports from OPEC-member Libya as a six-month civil war there appeared close to an end, Reuters reports.

2:43 pm

South Africa is in talks with Col Gaddafi’s camp for him to leave Libya, Al Jazeera reports. Angola and Zimbabwe have been named as possible countries he could seek exile. A number of world leaders have insisted Gaddafi must stand trial at the ICC.



2:27 pm

Al-Arabya TV network reports Gaddafi is still in his compound, known as Bab al-Aziziya, citing AFP diplomatic sources.




2:24 pm

Rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Rahman says tanks left Gaddafi’s complex, known as Bab al-Aziziya, early Monday and began firing, Guardian reports. There are estimates firing has been taking place for the last half an hour.

Abdel-Rahman says that Gaddafi troops remain a threat to rebels who advanced into the city Sunday, and that as long as Gaddafi remains on the run the "danger is still there."

2:21 pm

BBC news reporter Matthew Price in the Rixos Hotel in Libya says he can hear explosions and see plumes of smoke rising above the city. It is clear that the rebels are not yet in complete control, he says.

2:15 pm

Intense fighting can heard coming from Gaddafi’s compound in Libya, Al Jazeera reports from the scene. Smoke can be seen in the distance as Gaddafi’s forces clash with opposition fighters. Earlier tanks were seen leaving the compound and shelling areas of Tripoli.

This Google map shows the location of Green Square (A) in relation to the Gaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound marked in green.

2:10 pm

There’s been more reaction on China’s micro blogs.

Luzhimian: Libya is like a big gambling spot with different players, particularly the United States and Europe, fighting for interests. I am not optimistic over the future of Libya as its sovereignty is under control by others and there are also tribal issues.

Fanzhouerqu: I feel sympathy for Gaddafi. The change of regime doesn't make much difference for the poor people.

Chenmengtingyuleyuan: I strongly protest against the interference of Western powers

Kingparrot: There will be internal conflicts among the Libya rebels.

2:07 pm

Tanks have been seen leaving Col Gaddafi's compound and shelling an area of Tripoli, BBC reports. Heavy gunfire can also be heard.

2:00 pm

It's 2 pm in Beijing and 8 am in Libya. Welcome to our rolling covering of the dramatic unfolding events in Libya. Rebel forces have entered Tripoli amid jubilant scenes and sporadic gunfire. The whereabouts of Col Gaddafi remain unknown, but heavy gunfire has been heard near his residence. The International Criminal Court says Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has been arrested. Gaddafi's eldest son Mohammed is believed to be under house arrest. US President Barack Obama said the situation has reached a "tipping point" and that “Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant”. The Transitional National Council (NTC), the administration set up by the rebel forces, says Gaddafi forces are still fighting in Tripoli, and control up to 20 percent of the city.

 

1:45 pm

People have been voicing their opinions on China’s Weibo micro blog.

Maikexideyouling: I don't support Libya’s rebels to achieve democracy through violence. The new regime established through violence will be a dictatorship again. Libyan people should force Gaddafi to start political reforms.

Feiyueafeiyue: Gaddafi should surrender. Don't make troubles in Libya.

1:36 pm
The sound of heavy gunfire is being heard near the residence of Col Gaddafi in central Tripoli, BBC reports. Fighting has also been heard in the south of the capital. A rebel spokesman has told Al-Jazeera that Gaddafi forces are still fighting in Tripoli, and control 15-20% of the city.

 

1:33 pm

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called on Gaddafi to get out of his people's way and to face charges for alleged crimes against them. “We continue to call on Colonel Gaddafi to get out of the way and of course we believe he should face the international charges that are against him,” she said.

1:27 pm

British Prime Minister David Cameron is returning to London, "cutting short his break in Cornwall," Downing Street says. Mr Cameron will shortly be chairing a security meeting on Libya, BBC reports.

1:17 pm

New Zealand has advised all its citizens to leave Libya. Prime Minister John Key also ordered its ambassador in Cairo to travel to Benghazi to "establish a working relationship with the transitional national council". Key said Muammar Gaddafi has two options left - to stay and fight to the end resulting in further bloodshed or to acknowledge the demands of the people and leave the country.

1:15 pm

A CNN journalist tweets that an exchange of gunfire has been heard near the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli where dozens of journalists are currently being held by a small group of pro-Gaddafi forces. The hotel has been surrounded by rebel forces.

12:53 am

One doctor at a hospital in Tripoli says they have received 200 patients, 8 dead and 20 with serious head or chest injuries, Al Jazeera reports.




12:40 pm

More reaction from Weibo, China’s most popular micro blog.

Tangzhiguo: Finally it comes to this day. This is what I have expected.

Shichongan: A tragic world. The truth is that there’s no right or wrong and only the powerful or the weak.

12:11 am

There is still no news on the whereabouts of Col Gaddafi who was last heard in a broadcast on state TV yesterday calling for people to "march by the millions" to liberate cities held by "traitors and rats." Some reports suggest gunfire and grenades could be heard near his Tripoli compound.



11:45 am

There are still pockets of resistance, a rebel leader has told Al Jazeera. “They are trying to defend the falling regime. We call on them to put down their arms,” he said. One CNN reporter has tweeted that they have been advised to leave Green Square as Gaddafi forces are advancing toward the square.

11:40 am

More comments from China’s Weibo micro blog on the dramatic events in Libya

Yingzirx008: Libyan people will embrace a new day.

Kuanhedang: Gaddafi failed under the attacks of NATO, actually no country can fight against the powerful NATO. It's only a matter of time.

Lenheyuan: Bye-bye Gaddafi, this is the end of an era and rise of a new state.

Beijingzhangchunjielvshi: I don't like the autocracy of Gaddafi, but I hate more the barbaric invasion of Western powers into the country.

Peigongshuadadao: Libya is going to become another Afghanistan.

11:38 am

Here are some of the latest comments on the developments in Libya from China's Weibo micro blog.

Qinwangyingzheng: Gaddafi should commit suicide like a real hero, otherwise he will be humiliated.

Gongminchenrui: This is good news. Gaddafi should be caught alive.

Fanfandebaba: The fall of Gaddafi's regime is because of a lack of building the country.

Xuchaoqunhoudao: I feel sorry for Gaddafi. Who is the next goal of the United States, Britain and France?