Unrest

Battle for Tripoli Rages

Conflicting reports about rebel advances.

Confusion reigned supreme in Libya late Monday, as rebels looked to take Tripoli. NATO warplanes are reportedly bombing the compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, according to Al-Arabiya television. Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam had been “captured” Sunday, but was spotted outside Tripoli's Rixos Hotel early Tuesday. A rebel spokesman said that forces have formed checkpoints at the entrances of Tripoli, and that there is little chance that Gaddafi and his son Mohammad would be able to escape. However, Mohammad has reportedly escaped his house arrest. Meanwhile, the Pentagon, which released a report saying that $896 million was spent on the mission through late July, reportedly had fighter planes shoot down Scud missiles. Earlier, President Obama said the situation in Libya is still precarious, but that it was clear the Gaddafi regime is crumbling. Soon, the fight for Libya’s oil may begin.