Muammar Gaddafi has apparently vanished after Libyan rebels claimed to be in control of most of Tripoli following their lightning advance on the capital.

Tanks opened fire at rebels trying to storm Muammar Gaddafi’s main compound in Tripoli today, although he appeared to have vanished a day after the lightning advance by his opponents into the city.

Clashes broke out near Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli early today, a day after rebels poured into the Libyan capital in a stunning advance which met little resistance from the regime’s defenders.