Libyan rebels have captured a military base defending Tripoli, the stronghold of long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi.
News agency reporters say rebel fighters are taking weapons and ammunition from the base west of the capital.
Rebels forces are pushing toward Tripoli from the town of Zawiya, which they captured earlier.
The rebels say they also control three districts of the capital after fighting inside the city overnight and Sunday.
Rebels advancing from Zawiya said earlier that forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi were pounded their positions with rockets and anti-aircraft fire.
In a political victory for the rebels, the Tunisian news agency TAP announced Sunday that Tunisia's government has officially recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of Libyans.
Mr. Gadhafi urged his supporters in an audio message carried on state television late Saturday to “march by the millions” and squash the uprising. He dismissed the rebellion as an ill-fated attempt by “traitors” and “rats.”
In a separate speech airing Sunday, the Libyan leader's son Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said the government will not “abandon the fight.”
Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim denied the government is on the brink of collapse and he held Western leaders accountable for the bloodshed.
Mr. Gadhafi has seen the areas under his control shrink significantly in recent weeks as rebels advance on Tripoli from the west, east and south after six months of fighting to end his four-decade autocratic rule.
U.S. President Barack Obama was briefed on the situation in Libya by his national security adviser Sunday. A U.S. spokesman said the White House believes “Gadhafi's days are numbered.”
NATO warplanes have been supporting the rebels by bombing pro-Gadhafi forces under a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military action to protect Libyan civilians from government attacks.
Meanwhile, two more Gadhafi aides appear to have defected. Officials with Libya's opposition National Transitional Council say the Libyan leader's former number-two, Abdel-Salam Jalloud, is in Italy Sunday after joining their ranks a day earlier.
Tunisian officials also said Libyan Oil Minister Omran Abukraa has decided not to return to Libya after a recent mission to Italy.
