Libyan rebel fighters controlled most of Tripoli by Monday morning, although forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi were holding out in parts of the capital.
Here are some reactions to the developments in Libya:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
"The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people.
"The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Gadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Gadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all."
REBEL CHIEF MUSTAFA ABDEL-JALIL:
"The real moment of victory will be when Gadhafi is captured.
"We will see many changes and the Libyan people have to realize that the next stage is not going to be easy. We urge everyone to respect public property.
"We are on the threshold of a new era, and we want to build a state based on freedom, justice, equality and transparency, as well as equality for all regardless of race or religion.
"We will work hard to work hard with the international community, respect human rights and establish international law."
ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANCO FRATTINI:
"The only route that Gadhafi should follow is that of giving himself up.
"The regime should name two authoritative figures that are not stained with blood crimes" to help guide a transition. Asked if one of them could be former Gadhafi number two Abdel Salam Jalloud, now in Italy, Frattini said: "He certainly has all the characteristics to be it. Don't wait for us to suggest him. He will clarify his position when he believes it opportune. I am convinced that many people will recognize him for an important role in the construction of a new Libya."
He said it was still possible for Gadhafi to remain in Libya and coexist with a new democratic regime, "but by now events are reducing the margins of a possible mediation."
UAE POLITICAL SCIENTIST ABDULKHALEQ ABDULLA:
"The most important thing that happened in Libya on the night of August 22 is not the fall of Gadhafi's regime but the joining of 5 million people to the procession of freedom.
"I think the most miserable person on earth after Moammar Gadhafi is Syria's Bashar Assad. Gadhafi's fall will not only make the Libyan people happy, but will also inspire the Syrian people."
EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE CATHERINE ASHTON:
"We are witnessing the last moments of the Gadhafi regime. I call on Gadhafi to step down without further delay and avoid further bloodshed.
"Today Libya is entering a new era. I salute the courage of those who have fought to make this possible. It is now time to launch a process of transition towards a new Libya, in which democratic principles, justice and human rights are fully respected."
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MA ZHAOXU:
"China respects the choice of the Libyan people and hopes that the situation there will quickly return to stability and that people's lives can return to normal.
"China is willing to work with the international community to play a positive role in rebuilding Libya."
KONSTANTIN KOSACHYOV, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF RUSSIA'S DUMA:
"The situation for Gadhafi has reached the point of no return, he no longer has any chance of controlling what is going on, even in Tripoli. He must acknowledge his defeat and bow to the will of the people.
"There are signs that today's nighttime events, when opposition forces stormed Tripoli, were supported by NATO forces. This provokes regret because it casts doubt on the legitimacy of what is happening now as well as the country's future."
GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER WOLFGANG SCHAEUBLE:
"Obviously it's good news that the bloodletting will now hopefully be over and that a horrible dictator has been toppled. The hope is that there will be a stable democracy now (in Libya). But it's all very uncertain at this point. In any case all efforts have to go towards that aim ... And now we want to do what we can to contribute to help them."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON:
"Gadhafi must stop fighting, without conditions — and clearly show that he has given up any claim to control Libya. As for his future, that should be a decision for (Libyan rebel chief) Jalil and the new Libyan authorities.
"Our task now is to do all we can to support the will of the Libyan people, which is for an effective transition to a free, democratic and inclusive Libya.
"This will be a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process with broad international support co-ordinated by the U.N. — and I am in close contact with partners from NATO, the Arab League and with Chairman Jalil himself.
"No transition is ever smooth or easy. But today the Arab spring is a step further away from oppression and dictatorship and a step closer to freedom and democracy."
HAMAS SPOKESMAN SAMI ABU ZUHRI:
"Hamas welcomes the entry by Libyan revolution fighters into the capital Tripoli and congratulates them on this great victory.
"We hope this will represent a turning point in the history of Libya toward progress and prosperity in implementing the will of the Libyan people."
SHADI HAMID, RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF BROOKINGS DOHA CENTER:
"Arabs needed this, they needed another victory, this changes the whole tone in the region after several months of disappointment. You can see this on Twitter and Facebook that the whole region is watching this very closely."
Asked if the NTC will be able to control the situation, "The NTC is an impressive body. They've done an impressively good job governing Benghazi and I think you have very smart people and a leadership that thought post-Gadhafi Libya. They've been preparing for several months.
"It's probably going to be messy, there's always a risk after the fall of a leader ... But the international community is united in supporting the NTC.
"The question is will the international community be able to provide the funding the NTC is in need of. "It has been slow and disappointing but I think now that the NTC is the unquestioned representative of Libya, there'll be international pressure to release funds. It's not going to happen overnight, but there's a realization that the NTC needs funding."
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAMDEEN SABAHY:
"I salute the triumph of the Libyan people after a long struggle against Gadhafi's rule.
"It is certain that the Arab revolution will continue and will triumph against all tyrants and oppressors. Arab revolutions are completed today by the victory of the Libyan people. Congratulations on your freedom."
FRENCH INTELLECTUAL BERNARD-HENRI LEVY, REBEL SUPPORTER:
"Gadhafi now controls a lot less than 20 percent of Tripoli. He now controls nothing more than his bunker.
"These French arms (delivered to the rebels) powerfully contributed to the victory, as did the French pilots. But it was the Libyans themselves, young Libyans who were mocked and insulted for their so-called indiscipline, it was they who took Tripoli last night ...
"The National Transitional Council is capable of managing what it has promised to do, that is to say the transition. These men have always said they had no personal ambition and did not wish to run the country in the long term. They are there to organize the transition ... to help install a new government in a few months, which they want to be a democratic government.
"Libya will go down in history as the anti-Iraq. Iraq was democracy parachuted into a country by a foreign power in a country which hadn't asked for it. Libya was a rebellion which demanded help from an international coalition led by France, and which will continue now in the reconstruction of the country."
KUWAITI MP WALEED AL-TABTABAIE:
"Mubarak's departure is a victory for the youth and a loss for Israel, Gadhafi's departure is a victory for the people and a loss for comedy and Bashar (Assad)'s departure will be a victory for Syria and a loss for Iran."