Mtoto wa Gaddafi akamatwa kwenye gari

This is the moment Colonel Gaddafi's heir was captured by rebel forces as he tried to flee the country his family had ruled for four decades.

Looking dishevelled, covered in dust and without his western-style glasses, Saif Al Islam looked a far cry from the urbane diplomat who tried to burnish Libya's reputation abroad.

Pictures of him surrounded by rebels show him looking downcast and desperate to avoid the grisly fate of his father.

A minister said today that Saif will be tried in Libya, rather than being handed over to the International Criminal Court.

But the rebels who captured him say they will not hand him over to the Libyan government until it has set up a new court system.

The trial of Saif, who was apprehended yesterday, could prove highly embarrassing for influential British figures – including Prince Andrew and Tony Blair – if he reveals details of the close links he enjoyed with them.

The 39-year-old former playboy and womaniser was captured by rebels from the western mountain town of Zindan while trying to flee across the border into Niger.

The head of Zintan's military council, Colonel Mohammed al-Khabash, said today that Saif will be held in Zintan until a court system is established in Libya.

Saif akiwa amezungukwa na waliomkamata

And the nation's information minister has confirmed that he will be tried in Libya, where he 'committed crimes against Libyan people'.

Mahmoud Shammam said Libya's National Transitional Council will discuss its decision with the ICC's chief prosecutor when he visits Libya tomorrow.

But although Saif is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity, Mr Shammam said:

'The ICC is just a secondary court, and the people of Libya will not allow Saif Al Islam to be tried outside.'their own citizens for war crimes, his primary goal was to ensure Saif has a fair trial.

The charity Human Rights Watch has called for Saif to be promptly turned over to the International Criminal Court, having expressed its concern about the killings of his father and brother when they were captured last month.

Saif was pictured yesterday looking haggard and fearful as he cowered in terror after his capture.

Saif Al Islam akiwa kizuizini muda mfupi baada ya kukamatwa
Saif baada ya kukamatwa akiwa kwenye gari

His old swagger gone, the British-educated son of Colonel Gaddafi was clearly terrified that he might encounter the same fate as his father.

Saif could yet face the death penalty for his crimes, but Libyan officials have promised he would, at least, receive a fair trial.

A mob of angry protesters tried to storm the plane as he was captured, but were beaten back by soldiers under orders to keep their prisoner alive so he could face justice.

A day after Saif's arrest, Gaddafi's former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi was captured in the south of the country, according to a government spokesman.

Only three weeks ago Saif had vowed to avenge his father’s death, declaring defiantly: ‘I am alive and free and willing to fight to the end.’

But last night he was facing trial at the hands of the people so long oppressed by the Gaddafi regime.

Thousands of Libyans celebrated in the streets after hearing that the fugitive, who remained loyal to his father’s murderous rule to the end, had been captured without a struggle.

The dictator’s heir was intercepted near the oil town of Obari as he tried to reach the frontier in a 4x4 vehicle, accompanied by three bodyguards.

Desert fighters acting on a tip-off fired into the air and ground to bring the car to a halt.

As they checked the identity of those inside, Saif told them his name was Abdelsalam – which means ‘servant of peace’ – but he was immediately recognised and taken away by the fighters.

One of those involved in the capture, Ahmed Ammar, said: ‘At the beginning he was very scared. He thought we would kill him.’

Saif’s captors said they found only a few thousand dollars and a cache of rifles in the seized vehicles.

Saif is thought to have been hiding in the southern desert since fleeing the tribal bastion of Bani Walid, near the capital, Tripoli, last month.

After his capture, he was photographed lying on a bed in a prison cell, his fingers wrapped in bandages and his legs covered with a blanket. Officials said the injury had been sustained in a Nato air raid a month ago.