Libyan rebels have seized a major military base defending Tripoli, as the fight for the capital intensifies. Reports suggested the fighters had captured the base of the Khamis Brigade, 16 miles west of the capital.
It is said to be one of the best-trained and equipped units in the Libyan military and is commanded by Col Gaddafi's 27-year-old son Khamis.
Around 200 rebel reinforcements have also reached the capital by sea, according to an activist.
Meanwhile fighting has broken out in the city's Mitiga airbase, while the suburb of Tajoura is now reportedly under rebel control.
Fighting has also broken out in other locations in and around the city, including near the hotel where foreign media are staying.Around 376 were killed on both sides overnight in Tripoli and 1,000 injured, a Libyan government official said.
Col Gaddafi broadcast a message on state television calling on Libyan people to come from all regions and liberate Tripoli from rebels.
He said he was "afraid Tripoli will burn" but that he will remain in Tripoli and stay until the end.
The Libyan government earlier appealed for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Nato's "aggression" as it responded to the rebel force's advances.
Spokesman for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Moussa Ibrahim, told reporters the rebels were nothing without Nato and they would never be able to take Libya.
He claimed the people of Tripoli would never rise up and join the rebels and warned of a bloodbath on the streets as they moved closer to the capital.
"Tripoli is well protected and we have thousands upon thousands of professional soldiers ready to defend this city against any possible invasion by rebels under the cover of Nato."He added: "What is happening now and what is going to happen is not the power of the rebels.
"It's the power of Nato - a major force for evil that has no heart, using armed gangs to occupy a whole nation."
Rebels initially came under sniper fire at the western gate of Tripoli, forcing them to retreat slightly.
They then advanced again, taking in several towns along the way and then staged large protests around the city.
Residents in the city have either been too scared to leave their homes, leaving streets deserted, or have risked their lives to protect their families from the violence.Sky News' special correspondent Alex Crawford, reporting from the village of Mayah, said the rebel force consisted of several dozen foot soldiers and an armed convoy.
She said they had encountered "very little resistance" as they passed through the town of Jaddaim into Mayah.
"This is a march on the capital, they are heading for the presidential palace," she said.
"They will try to indicate to the Tripoli-based population that they are in charge and, as quick as they can, they need to switch sides.
"They want to raise the rebel flag above Gaddafi's presidential palace.
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