Gadhafi Speaks, Says Retreat was a 'Tactical Move'

Moammar Gadhafi spoke to Libyans early Wednesday morning, calling his retreat from the Bab Al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli a tactical move.

Al-Urubah, a television station that can be categorized as loyal to Gadhafi, said the long-time Libyan leader gave a radio address from an undisclosed location. Gadhafi vowed to continue the fight against rebels and NATO, and promised either victory or martyrdom, according to Reuters.

He also said that NATO leveled his compound with 64 airstrikes. Earlier on Tuesday, the rebels said they seized control of the base, which they scoured for signs of their head of state.

Gadhafi's speech reiterates a conclusion reached by Noman Benotman, senior analyst at the Quilliam think tank and an associate of Gadhafi's former spy chief.

Gadhafi is banking on the rebels making a mess of Tripoli and causing chaos. He is relying on them to behave badly, Benotman told Reuters.

They want rival militia zones to start springing up... That's why it's critical for the rebels to get their act together.

Four hundred people were killed and 2,000 injured in three days of fighting between the rebels and pro-Gadhafi forces in the capital, but the anti-government fighters tore through the Bab al-Azizya compound with little resistance.