NICOSIA – (AFP) – Libyan rebels have reached the highly symbolic Green Square in the centre of Tripoli, Sky News said early on Monday, showing scenes of jubilant crowds gathered there.

Young men, many waving the red, black and green flag of anti-regime forces, were shouting and dancing in obvious joy, shouting Allahu Akbar (God is greatest) and some firing rifles into the air.

As many of the men flashed V-for-victory signs and shouted “tell Muoamer (Gaddafi) and his sons that Libya has men,” a Sky correspondent said people were lighting fires with posters of the Libyan strongman and the solid green flag of the regime that they had torn down.

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA, BENGHAZI : A libyan rebels security forces member raises his rifle as tens of thousands of Libyans celebrate what the rebels claim to be the first uprising in Tripoli against the Kadhafi's regime on August 21, 2011...

The iconic square, built by Libya’s Italian colonial rulers, was named Independence Square under the monarchy that emerged after World War II. Following the Libyan strongman’s seizure of power in 1969, it was renamed Green Square to mark his political movement.

It was the site of protests at the beginning of the anti-regime movement in February of this year, and counter-demonstrations by Gaddafi supporters, and Gaddafi spoke to thousands of supporters there on a number of occasions.