Libyan Rebels Capture Gaddafi's Spokesman in Sirte

A Libyan rebel holding binoculars points at smoke rising after NATO planes air strikes on positions in the outskirts of Sirte, Libya, as rebels push to take control of the city on 21 September 2011. EPA/BGNES

Muammar Gaddafi's spokesman Moussa Ibrahim has been captured by Libyan rebel forces outside the dictator's stronghold of Sirte, the rebels' Transitional National Council has announced.

"Misrata fighters contacted us and gave us the information that Mussa Ibrahim has been captured," said Mustafa bin Dardef, of the NTC's Zintan Brigade, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Another commander, Mohammed al-Marimi, said: "Mussa Ibrahim was captured  while driving outside Sirte by fighters from Misrata."

Earlier on Thursday, Libyan interim government forces captured the airport in Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, one of two main remaining bastions of support for the deposed leader.

Fighters from the ruling National Transitional Council have launched two full-on assaults on Sirte in the past week with support from NATO warplanes, but have been held at bay by sniper and artillery fire from Gaddafi loyalists in the city.

Gaddafi loyalists are still putting up resistance in Sirte and Bani Walid.

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