Moammar Gadhafi's hold on Libyan territory shrank on Thursday, as rebels controlling large swathes of the east of the country promised an offensive against the capital, Tripoli. With gun battles reported in towns just 30 miles west of the capital and 130 miles to the east, it appeared the regime's hold on territory was fast slipping.
According to senior rebel officials in Benghazi, more than 1,000 troops have already been dispatched. Because army service is compulsory for at least six months in Libya, most people are familiar with how to use weapons.
They believe Mr. Ghadhafi is moving about the city, and they are searching for him, they said.
They might end up facing Mr. Gadhafi's most experienced units—the small but highly-trained and well-equipped security battalions led by his closest friends and allies—as well as brigades of mercenaries recruited from Chad and other African nations.
