Hundreds of rebel fighters pushed into the centre of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, late on Sunday as their battle to overthrow the 42-year rule of Muammar Gaddafi moved closer to ending in victory.

The prosecutor of the international criminal court said one of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam, who has been indicted along with his father on crimes against humanity charges had been detained.

The head of the rebel Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abd el-Jalil said that his fighters who had detained Saif al-Islam had been given instructions to "treat him well".

There were also reports that Gaddafi's eldest son, Mohammed, and the presidential guard had surrendered but Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound was still under the control of the regime, reports the Guardian.