DEEP cracks opened up in Muammar Gaddafi’s regime after more than 40 years in power, with diplomats abroad and the justice minister at home resigning, air force pilots defecting and a fire raging at the main government hall after clashes in the capital Tripoli.

Libya was in chaos tonight with anti-government protesters fiercely refusing to be cowed by threats amid swirling rumours that leader Muammar Gaddafi had fled the country.

Libyan protesters claimed to have taken control of Benghazi, the country’s second city, today only hours after the son of ruler Muammar Gaddafi warned he would fight them “to the last bullet”.