Updated: Aug. 22, 2011 at 9:24 AM

Moammar Gadhafi's rise and fall (21 images)

With rebel forces taking an increasingly dominant hold in Gadhafi's stronghold of Tripoli, and his forces abandoning him for the opposition, it looks like the nearly 42 years of his rule in Libya have been brought to an end.

Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi (L) talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin after their meeting in Tripoli on April 16, 2008. Putin is visiting Libya to focus on Russia's growing role in exploiting the North African country's energy resources. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) meets with Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi at Meiendorf Castle outside Moscow on October 31, 2008. Gaddafi arrived in Russia on Friday for talks expected to focus on purchases of Russian arms and the possible opening of a Russian naval base in Libya to counterbalance U.S. interests in Africa. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)

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Ali Abdussalam Treki President of the United Nations General Assembly, rubs his head as Libyan leader Colonel Moammer Gadhafi speaks at the 64th United Nations General Assembly in the UN building in New York City on September 23, 2009. UPI/John Angelillo

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Palestinian students step on placards during a protest against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in Gaza City on February 22, 2011. Gadhafi clung to control of his country as witnesses in Tripoli reported food shortages and violence by security forces. UPI/Ismael Mohamad

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