Libyan Rebels Capture Tripoli Base

Libyan rebels have captured a major military base that defends Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold of Tripoli. An Associated Press reporter with the rebels saw them take over the base of the Khamis Brigade, 16 miles west of the capital, today. Gadhafi's 27-year-old son Khamis commands the 32nd Brigade, also known simply as the Khamis Brigade, one of the best trained and equipped units in the Libyan military. The rebels were seizing large stores of weapons from the base, driving away with truckloads of new supplies.

Rebel Murad Dabdoub said that Gadhafi's forces were pounding rebel positions west of the city with rockets, mortars, and anti-aircraft fire. "We are not going back. God willing, this evening we will enter Tripoli," said Issam Wallani, another rebel. "We are scared and staying in our houses, but the younger boys are going out to protect our homes," said a woman who spoke by telephone from the pro-rebel Tripoli neighborhood of Bin Ashour. Click for our earlier roundup of the rebel assault on the capital. (More Libya stories.)