Freedom fighters are less than 20KM of centre of #Tripoli, via Skynewsnews.sky.com/home/world-new… #Tripoli #Libya
Sky News' special correspondent Alex Crawford, who is in Jaddaim, said the rebel force consisted of several dozen foot soldiers and an armed convoy.
She said they had encountered "very little resistance" as they passed into the next village of Mayah and advanced towards Tripoli.
"This is a march on the capital, they are heading for the presidential palace," she said.
"They will try to indicate to the Tripoli-based population that they are in charge and, as quick as they can, they need to switch sides.
"They want to raise the rebel flag above Gaddafi's presidential palace.
Fighting reportedly broke out in several areas of Tripoli
"They are very much speaking of today being the end day for Colonel Gaddafi."
It comes as clashes reportedly broke out in several areas of the capital between forces loyal to Col Gaddafi and opposition fighters.
Four loud explosions were heard in Tripoli at 4am local time (3am BST), as Nato warplanes flew overhead. The targets have not yet been identified.
The fighting inside Tripoli, combined with the rebel advance toward the city's outskirts, appeared to signal a decisive moment in Libya's six-month conflict.
Within Tripoli, a senior opposition figure claimed rebels had taken the eastern suburb of Tajoura and were fighting for control of the Mitiga airbase in the north.
There had also been particularly fierce clashes near the Souq al Juma area and the Fashloum district of the city.
