Moussa Ibrahim, the spokesman of deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been arrested by forces of the Libyan provisional government.

According to Libyan television reports, Ibrahim was held last night as he tried to escape from Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace.  He was in a group of locals trying to drive out of the port city when he was recognised and arrested.

No pictures confirming the arrest have been issued yet.

Moussa Ibrahim escaped with Gaddafi and his family when Tripoli was overrun. He had since then issued statements to the press saying that Muammar Gaddafi was in good spirits and leading the fight against the NTC.

The NTC forces yesterday captured Sirte airport but have been making slow progress into the city, coming up against stiff resistance.

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