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Rebel forces in the Libyan capital of Tripoli are locked in battle with pro-Gaddafi forces, less than a week after claims of victory. Assertions about the arrest of Saif Ali Islam Gaddafi have turned out to be false. Another of Gaddafi’s sons, Mohammad, was reportedly captured by rebels but has now apparently escaped. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi himself remains at large. Opposition forces are reportedly closing in on his seaside resort in Sirte. A $1.6 million reward is supposedly being offered for the capture of Gaddafi. An audio recorded message from Gaddafi aired on a local radio station this week, during which he urged his loyalists to “cleanse” Tripoli of “rats” and promised either “martyrdom” or victory. Meanwhile, US and NATO war planes continue to carry out airstrikes and have revealed the presence of their ground troops during the conflict. British soldiers are reportedly aiding in the search for the embattled dictator. Even before the conflict reaches a resolution, NATO countries are openly vying for the spoils of war, positioning themselves for lucrative contracts in exchange for their military help. Italy has promised more than $500 million in previously frozen assets and French President Sarkozy was joined by the Prime Minister of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) in calling for an international conference on Libya in Paris on September 1st. Some elements of the TNC have already strongly alluded to selectively rewarding those nations that came to its aid. The TNC = has announced it plans to hold democratic elections in Libya within 8 months. However, it remains to be seen if the primarily Benghazi-based leaders will be able to represent fighters in Tripoli, or the Libyan population at large. What is also unclear is the extent to which popular support exists for the involvement of NATO troops. Arab nations are also eager to win favor with the TNC. They have invited the TNC to participate tomorrow in an Arab League meeting. The League had suspended Gaddafi’s Libya in February. Gaddafi has traditionally displayed financial and moral loyalty toward Africa and the African Union. His fall is likely to dramatically change the nature of Libya’s ties to the continent.

GUEST: Dr. Mahmoud Traina is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.