Libya: Rebels Enter Muammar Gaddafi's Compound, Spokesperson Says (PHOTOS) (VIDEO) (LIVEBLOG)

Reports: Libyan Rebels Enter Gaddafi Compound
|

Libyan rebels have entered Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, and taken control of the complex.

Television footage showed fighters firing celebratory gunfire as they kicked the head of a Gaddafi sculpture and hung off the leader's iconic statue of golden fist clutching a US fighter plane.

As they ran into the compound they seized Gaddafi's weapons, according to reports from the AP.

Rebels have also raised their flag over the Libyan leader's fortress, while Sky News reported that Gaddafi's bedouin tent was on fire.

The broadcaster showed pictures of rebels trying on Gaddafi's hats and jewellery, and clutching what appeared to be a golden staff.

Earlier, Al-Jazeera and Reuters correspondents both witnessed the rebels breaking into the compound.

Foreign secretary William Hague said breaking into the six kilometre wide compound was an "historic achievement" for the rebels and we were seeing the "death throes" of the regime. Speaking on Sky News, he cautioned that there still "may be some formidable problems ahead".

An Al-Jazeera correspondent reported that Gaddafi's troops still have "pockets" of strength - the main one being inside the fortress.

"Gaddafi troops are holed up in a series of pockets where they still seem to have strength, the main one of which is inside that sprawling Gaddafi compound", correspondent James Bays said.

Colonel Gaddafi's exact whereabouts are unknown, but his son Saif al-Islam told journalists he was in Tripoli.

The despot's troops have now retreated from Ras Lanuf to Gaddafi's home town, Sirte, according to a rebel spokesperson.

Nato had been targeting the compound in air strikes overnight, according to reports in the Independent.

A youtube video has also emerged of rebels allegedly dragging Colonel Gaddafi's golf buggy through the streets.

Photos of the rebels entering the compound: