The head of the Libyan opposition Transitional National Council has congratulated the rebel fighters who advanced into Tripoli and said "we are now in the final stages of ousting Moammar Gadhafi."
Speaking in Benghazi Monday, Mustapha Abdel Jalil also appealed for the protection of civilians and property. He urged people to practice restraint and not to take the law into their own hands.
Jalil said the post-Gadhafi Libya will build a state of law that will provide trials for those accused of causing what he called "this damage" during Gadhafi's rule. He said people should "let justice take its course."
Jalil said governance in a post-Gadhafi Libya will be based on freedom, justice, equality and transparency, within a moderate Islamic framework, in which all citizens are equal, and have a right to live in dignity.
He also thanked the international community for supporting the Libyan people during their crisis.