Muammar Gaddafi has been captured by revolutionary forces in Libya, it has been claimed today.
The former Libyan dictator was reportedly found cowering in a hole in the ground at the centre of Sirte after rebels moved in on the city for a final account.
Fighter Mohammed Al Bibi told reporters that the toppled tyrant had pleaded 'Don't shoot, don't shoot' and surrendered.
However it is unclear whether Gaddafi is now dead or alive. There were multiple reports in the Arab press that he died after suffering wounds to the legs.
It is understood that he has been taken to hospital in the city of Misrata.
Rebels said he had been armed with a golden pistol when he was found and was wearing a khaki uniform.
Gaddafi and his family have been on the run since Nato and rebel forces started closing the net on Tripoli in mid-August.
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 National Transitional Council (NTC) said Gaddafi was in custody, while Al Jazeera reported that a ‘big fish’ had been caught but did not provide a name.
Al Jazeera later joined Al-Arabiya in saying that Gaddafi was dead.
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.
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.
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