Muammar Gaddafi 'captured'

Muammar Gaddafi, who has been on the run since Nato and Libyan rebel forces started closing the net on Tripoli in mid-August, has been captured by revolutionary forces in Libya, Reuters has been reported today.

The senior NTC military official told Reuters by telephone that the head of Gaddafi's armed forces Abu Bakr Younus Jabr had been killed during the capture of the Libyan ex-leader.

The reports of Gaddafi's capture came on the same day that revolutionary forces said that they had taken control of Sirte - the leader's home town.

Initial reports from CNN and the revolutionary council said Gaddafi was in custody, while Al Jazeera reported that a 'big fish' had been caught but did not provide a name.

Sky News reported that Gaddafi had been wounded in both legs prior to his capture. He was wearing a military-style uniform.

A military official told Reuters via telephone: 'He's captured. He's wounded in both legs ... He's been taken away by ambulance.

It is not yet known whether Gaddafi was captured in Sirte.

Libya's transitional government forces have taken full control of the city - the last stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists.

Gaddafi's presence there would explain why fighting had been so intense in the past few weeks.