Battle rages on as rebels search for Qaddafi

TRIPOLI, Libya - Libyan rebels spent a lot of ammunition chasing rumors of dictator Muammar Qaddafi's whereabouts, CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen reports.

The rebel army rushed to a neighborhood in the capital city of Tripoli, spurred on by rumors that Qaddafi was hiding there. They faced his soldiers' main defense: sniper fire. The wounded got makeshift treatment from medics near the front lines.

But the rebels are dubious that they are going to catch Qaddafi. As one said, Qaddafi would have escaped in his secret tunnels a long time ago.

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Tunnels under his Tripoli compound that the world is seeing for the first time reveal a network so extensive, it may spread under the city and as far as seven miles away to the airport. Qaddafi had many escape plans to choose from.

And wherever he is, Qaddafi is ignoring the reality that he is losing by telling supporters in an audio statement to "don't leave Tripoli for the rats"

But it's his hired army that is leaving him. Soime of his mercenaries surrendered to the rebels, and a few may be alive because CBS News was there. No rebels hurt them in front of the camera.

Yet mercenaries captured days ago were found with their hands tied and were killed execution style.

At Tripoli's main hospital, there is a war story of a sadder sort. On Wednesday night, CBS News reported about 11-year-old Alaa Saleem, who was hit by a sniper bullet at her home.

Neurosurgeons removed the bullet, but now doctors think the brain damage was so extensive that it will leave her paralyzed. Even physicians used to seeing pain are overwhelmed.

"Rage and sadness and depression," said Dr. Marwa Shennib, "but we don't want that to take control over us. We want to do our work."

Alaa is in a hospital without medicines or even running water. But she's surrounded by people who care, even though they are appalled at how this war changed her life forever.