British warplanes bombed a bunker in Moammar Gadhafi’s birthplace of Sirte as rebel fighters prepared Friday to launch an offensive on the town, one of the last major regime holdouts east of Tripoli.

As insurgent leaders moved into Tripoli to begin a political transition, the African Union called for that process to be "inclusive."

Beneath the grassy courtyard of Moammar Gadhafi's private compound, long tunnels connect bunkers, command centers and spiral staircases that lead to a luxurious home filled with Gadhafi family photos.

The electric lights are out and the banks of telephones have gone dead.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday pledged support for a "new Libya," urging triumphant rebels to turn the page on Moammar Gadhafi's rule and build a secure, democratic state.

She also called on the rebels to guard weapons stockpiles and take a hard line against "extremism," as the United Nations began releasing $1.5 billion in Libyan assets earmarked for U.N. programs, food and basic services.

A crocodile named "Moammer Gadhafi" may be given a new name to spare his life after Libyan rebels stormed Tripoli, in a move likely to spell the end for the country's autocratic leader.

News out of Libya has worried keepers at the Hamat Gader crocodile farm on the occupied Golan Heights, who are concerned the demise of the Libyan strongman could spell a sticky end for their own "Gadhafi" -- a three-meter giant who weighs some 230 kilos (507 pounds).

The Lebanese towns and villages in the Bekaa and the North abutting the Syrian border have decided to escalate demonstrations in support of the Syrian people during the last days of Ramadan, the pan-Arab daily Asharq al- reported on Tuesday.

Islamic sources told the newspaper that the clergymen, Imam’s of the mosques and Islamic associations “agreed on triggering daily night protests after al-Taraweeh prayers in all the regions of Tripoli, and in a number of towns in Akkar.”

BP said on Monday that it would seek to return to Libya to continue its exploration program "when conditions allow" as Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi faces imminent defeat.

"We intend to resume our activities and return to the country when conditions allow," a BP spokesman told Agence France Presse.

Brent crude fell to near $105 a barrel Monday as Libyan rebels captured most of the country's capital, boosting hopes the OPEC nation's oil exports could resume soon.

In London, Brent crude for October delivery was down $3.22 per barrel to $105.40 on the ICE Futures exchange.

World stocks swung between gains and losses Monday, as hopes the Federal Reserve might take action to keep the U.S. from slipping back into recession offset fears of a global slowdown.

Brent crude fell to near $106 a barrel as Libyan rebels captured most of Tripoli, boosting hopes the OPEC nation's oil exports could resume soon. The dollar was stronger against the yen but weaker against the euro.

Libyan rebels said they seized control of Zliten from Moammar Gadhafi's forces on Friday, only hours after reporting they were in the center of the town, 150 kilometers east of Tripoli.

"Zliten is now under the control of our fighters, but the fighting is not finished," the Information Center For Misrata Military Council said.

Strong explosions rocked Tripoli early Friday as Moammar Gadhafi's shaky regime called for a immediate ceasefire in Libya and rebels claimed control of a key oil refinery not far from the capital.

A slew of explosions were heard around 1:00 am (23:00 GMT) in the heart of the seaside capital where Gadhafi's residential complex is located, as well as in several areas in the west of the city.