Libyan rebel chief sees victory over Gaddafi "on the horizon"

The head of Libya's rebel Transitional National Council (TNC), Mustafa Abdul Jalil, has said that a final victory over leader Moamer Gaddafi was "on the horizon" after recent military progress by the rebels, in remarks published Thursday, DPA reported.

"The revolutionary troops are moving to encircle Tripoli from different directions," Abdul Jalil told the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al Awsat in a telephone interview.

However, he expected Gaddafi to turn the "battle for liberating Tripoli into a massacre."

"He will plant mines in the city's streets and strategic installations," said Abdul Jalil.

While denying direct negotiations between his council and the Gaddafi government, Abdul Jalil said the TNC was ready for talks on the departure of Gaddafi and his family from Libya, "in order to prevent bloodletting and preserve the Libyan people's resources."

The rebels have been fighting for weeks to advance on Tripoli. Since February, they have sought to oust Gaddafi who has been in power for 42 years.