"We control the airport entirely," rebel commander Bashir al-Taibi told AFP.
Rebels said they had also taken the Qasr ben Gheshir district after a "clean-up" operation around the international airport, launched that morning to push out remaining loyalist forces entrenched in the neighbourhood.
They added they were still being cautious after loyalist forces fired rockets and mortar rounds that destroyed three civilian aircraft on the tarmac.
At a roundabout in Qasr ben Gheshir, a cheering crowd celebrated the district`s "liberation," singing, "Hey, hey hey, Kadhafi is gone forever," an AFP correspondent said.
"Last night (Friday), about 60-80 cars from the battalion of Khamis Kadhafi," one of the fugitive dictator`s sons, left the area and "fled to Bani Walid," a city near Sirte, Kadhafi`s hometown, said Mokhtar Lakhtar, who commanded the operation.
"It was not a tactical withdrawal, but really a flight," he added.
Many in the district confirmed the departure of the convoy of vehicles with Kadhafi loyalists, saying they included 4x4s and "pick-ups with heavy weapons."
Two residents said they had seen a pair of large missiles, which they identified as Scuds, going with the convoy, but the rebels did not confirm that.
Rebel fighters fired their guns into the air, with the rattle sometimes punctuated by a burst of anti-aircraft fire.
At the centre of the roundabout, some residents sacrificed a sheep, in the Muslim gesture of celebration.
"We have been freed today! I sacrificed a sheep, and I will sacrifice another tomorrow, when Kadhafi is caught," said Saleh Belhaj, 42.
Nearby, the airport was under rebel control and calm.
Taibi said pro-Kadhafi forces had fired rockets and mortars at the airport on Friday, destroying three civilian aircraft and damaging several others.
"They specifically targeted the aircraft," he said.
The charred carcasses of the planes were visible on the tarmac, and rebels were still nervous about being in the open, fearing isolated snipers.
(U.M016)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
