Rebels 'on the streets 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 said that 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."