In what many observers are calling an extraordinary turn of events, Libya's rebels are closing in on control of the capital, Tripoli, six months after being nearly run out of the country by the forces of Libayn leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi.

Gadhafi is nowhere to be found, despite audio messages recorded by him playing on state-owned radio every now and again. Defections from the highest levels of government continued, including Foreign Minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi, who has been with Gadhafi since he first came to power in a coup more than 40 years ago.

Despite continued fighting in the streets of the capital, rebel leaders have begun to set up a new government in Tripoli, moving from their transitional government in the eastern city of Benghazi. The rebels have the backing of many of the world's most powerful nations.

After the rebels seized large parts of Tripoli, a group of the capital's businessmen issued a $2 million reward for anyone looking to turn over Gadhafi, who had fled his compound long before rebels stormed it and who was thought by some to be hiding in hometown, Sirte.

The situation was the reverse of that half a year ago, when Gadhafi's forces were closing in on Benghazi, the country's second-largest city and head of the resistance. At that point, however, Western nations began aerial bombardments of Gadhafi's troops and positions. The number of air strikes by NATO nations has topped 7,500, and several countries have offered the rebels money and weapons.