Gaddafi’s elder son escapes rebels

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's elder son, Mohammad, has escaped, Al Jazeera said. He was captured by the rebels earlier on Monday.

Mohammad, who was arrested in his house during an interview with Al Jazeera, fled with the help of some loyalists, RIA Novosti reported.

He is the eldest son and known for having vast wealth from owning Libya's cell phone and satellite companies, but he generally wasn't considered as vicious or political as his younger half brothers, also captured yesterday.

Two other Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam and Saadi, were arrested earlier. Fresh clashes between the rebel troops and security forces loyal to Gaddafi erupted Sunday on the outskirts of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Where is Gaddafi now? South Africa denies it planned to harbor him.

Rebel commanders said they have taken control of about 80 percent of the city following an overnight assault on the capital, BBC reported. World leaders have urged Gaddafi to step down, and Egypt has recognised the rebels as the legitimate government.