The rise and fall of Gadhafi

Libyan leader's 42-year rule began with quick ascent to power

TRIPOLI, Libya - Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi's rule is crumbling after over four decades in power, after the rebel troops took control of much of the capital Tripoli on Sunday night and his son Saif al-Islam has been detained.

Since protests erupted in Libya in earlier this year, which were inspired by similar anti-government demonstrations in other Arab countries, 69-year-old Gadhafi and the oil-rich North African nation, with a population of about 6.5 million, have stayed in international media spotlight.