Libyan rebels said on Monday they had seized a second strategic town near Tripoli within 24 hours, completing the encirclement of the capital in the boldest advances of their six-month uprising agains

Muammar Gaddafi urged Libyans on Monday to free the country from 'traitors', as rebels in the west began to strangle a major lifeline to his capital.

His broadcast appeal was made over a bad telephon