CAIRO: Libyan rebels have begun what they hope is the final push toward Tripoli to oust Muammar Gaddafi from the country. According to reports from the front lines, troops have taken key towns and cities near the Libyan capital and protests and independence flags are now appearing in Tripoli, the last stronghold of Gaddafi. “We are on our way to the final battle and soon Gaddafi will be gone and Libya will be back to its people and rid of this man,” said one fighter, who added to bikyamasr.com that “it is only a matter of days before he [Gaddafi] has no where to run to.” But, Gaddafi fought back, saying the “rats” had been removed from the capital, in reference to the rebels. Overnight Saturday, heavy gunfire was heard across Tripoli and large explosions were also reported. It is unclear the casualties from the fighting, but rebel sources said that they had lost a substantial number of fighters in the ongoing battles. The fighting is expected to continue as the battle for Tripoli heats up. Rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces are likely to battle for key positions in the city and residents have begun to flee the area on Sunday morning, fearing violence. Last week, American officials said they envisioned Gaddafi leaving the country as early as next week after rebel groups cut off supply routes to the capital, leaving the embattled leader stranded in a sea of opposition. “We are ready and are going to take Tripoli soon, but we hope Gaddafi leaves before this because we want to end the killing,” said another fighter via telephone from his post just south of the Libyan capital. He told Bikyamasr.com that as the rebels advance, “we see more and more people ready for this war to be over so we can have our country back.” Rebels have already taken up positions many thought would have been months in the future, overtaking the strategic coastal town of Zawiyah – home to an enormous oil refinery – this week. The city is just 30 miles from Tripoli. On Saturday, reports coming in from Libya said the rebels are now completely controlling the city. According to United States officials, Libya's Gaddafi is making plans to depart the country with his family for possible exile in Tunisia. According to the report published by NBC News, Gaddafi is ready to leave after nearly 6 months of civil war. The report said one US official said that the former Libyan leader could be out of the country by as early as next week. The announcement comes as rebels are continuing to inch closer to the Libyan capital Tripoli and have reportedly cut off key supply channels to the former government's military. The information obtained by NBC News follows a series of optimistic statements this week from American officials that Gaddafi would be giving up the fight and and leave the country. In an on-camera forum at the National Defense University this week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said, “I think the sense is that Gaddafi's days are numbered.” The officials could provide no further details as to conditions or precise timing for Gaddafi's departure, NBC said, and the news report emphasized that there was no guarantee that Gaddafi would follow through on any plans to flee. Either way, fighters and civilians appear ready for a final closure to the civil war and the destruction of much of the country. They hope that a new Libya will bring a future that they determine. “This is our country and we are going to have it from the corrupt and murderers,” added the fighter. BM