Tripoli, Libya (CNN) — Libyan rebels seized most of the capital, swiped control of state television, battled Moammar Gadhafi’s forces and had three of his sons in custody Monday, as their efforts converged on the one task that could bring an end to their civil war — and to 42 years of rule: the apprehension of Gadhafi himself.
“The real moment of victory is when Gadhafi is captured,” NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil said a news conference in Benghazi, long a rebel stronghold in the conflict.
While opposition officials said it was possible Gadhafi may have fled to southern Tripoli or neighboring Chad or Algeria, they also said he may remain in Tripoli.
The U.S. government said it believes Gadhafi remains in Libya. “We believe he’s still in the country,” Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said Monday. “We do not have information he left the country.”
U.N. officials have “been trying to get in touch with him,” said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The U.N. chief described events in Tripoli as “testimony to the courage and determination of the Libyan people to seek a free and democratic future.”
But even as official control of their country seemed to be within reach, the rebels were engaged in fierce battles for parts of Tripoli.
“A great majority of the capital of Tripoli is under freedom fighters’ control,” said Guma El-Gamaty, the Britain-based coordinator for the rebels’ National Transitional Council.
At the Rixos hotel where international journalists are staying, close to Gadhafi’s compound, intense fighting could be heard Monday afternoon.
Sporadic gunfire and explosions coming from the direction of Gadhafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound could be heard Monday morning. Much of Bab al-Aziziya has already been destroyed by NATO airstrikes, and a fight for the compound might be more symbolic in nature.
Rebels on Monday afternoon pulled back from an area near Tripoli’s Green Square — which rebels are renaming Martyrs’ Square — to coordinate some sort of offensive in the city, although it was not immediately clear what they were planning.
In parts of the city, rebels were concerned about snipers on top of buildings.
U.S. and NATO officials said they were concerned forces loyal to Gadhafi might stage a last-ditch attack against civilians. “If there is a last ditch effort we want to protect civilians,” said a senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of sensitive intelligence matters.
Senior levels of NATO were watching closely for any sign of a massing of Libyan government forces, or moving of weapons such as rockets or artillery, the official said.
The U.S. official warned that Gadhafi still may be able “to issue orders” to his troops through limited communications, although its unclear how much he controls.