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 Moammer Gadhafi greets attendees before delivering his address to the 64th General Assembly at the United Nations on September 23, 2009 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi holds a book as he addresses the 64th General Assembly at the United Nations on September 23, 2009 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi attends the 64th General Assembly at the United Nations on September 23, 2009 in New York City. UPI/Olivier Douliery/Pool

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi (R) meet 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)

License photo | Permalink

---

---