As the story continues, rebel forces are in (as of this moment: 2:30 pm PDT) 80% control of Tripoli. Still dealing with pockets of resistance from pro-Gaddafi forces it seems likely these will fall within the coming hours.

New questions arise as to just what will happen next. There is a degree of pessimism over fears of revenge and how this may be the harbinger of a bigger civil war among the various tribes in the region. For the moment though, there is optimism and a sense that another repressive regime has been toppled. Still, there is no word as to where Gaddafi is, but I suspect that question will be answered by this time tomorrow.

In the meantime, here is a recap of the news as it was developing this morning via the BBC World Service with a flood of eyewitness accounts on the ground as it was happening.

More history, picking it up as we go along.