Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:28PM GMT
Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's eldest son Muhammad has escaped from the custody of opposition fighters with the help of Gaddafi loyalists.
Muammar Gaddafi's eldest son, Muhammad (file photo)
He had been arrested at his house during an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday.
Muhammad's brother Saif al-Islam was also captured on Sunday, and their third brother, Saadi Gaddafi, was caught by the revolutionary forces on Monday afternoon.
Libyan revolutionary fighters swept into the heart of Tripoli early on Monday and seized control of most of the city without facing significant resistance from regime forces.
Opposition fighters say they have taken control of over 80 percent of the capital, including the headquarters of the Jamahiriyah state television network, and are trying to secure areas they have captured.
Opposition fighters have not managed to find Gaddafi yet and his exact whereabouts are still unknown.
There are unconfirmed reports that he has fled from the country, but other reports say he left the capital after opposition fighters seized control of almost all of the city and is hiding in a bunker outside Tripoli.
There are also reports claiming that Gaddafi has been seen at a hospital near Tajura, which is a suburb of Tripoli.
A diplomatic source said Gaddafi may still be in his Bab al-Aziziyah compound in southern Tripoli, adding that Gaddafi has many bunkers there where he could hide from the revolutionary fighters.
The International Criminal Court at The Hague is negotiating for the extradition of Saif al-Islam, who many once believed would succeed his father as leader, on charges of war crimes. The ICC is also seeking the extradition of Muammar Gaddafi.
World leaders have called on Gaddafi to step down. So far, Egypt and Kuwait have recognized the Libyan opposition's National Transitional Council (NTC) as the "legitimate" representative of the Libyan people.
Russia and China have also issued statements saying they are ready to accept what the Libyan people decide.
SS/HGL
