COLONEL Gaddafi has been killed after weeks on the run.

Gaddafi died as rebel troops overran the final pockets of fighters loyal to the former regime in his home-town of Sirte.

His death was announced by the prime minister of the country's National Transitional Council government Mahmoud Jibril.

He told a press conference in capital Tripoli: "We have been waiting for this moment for a long time.

"Muammar Gaddafi has been killed."

Gruesome images of a blood-stained man who resembled Gaddafi being dragged through the streets of Sirte were shown on Libyan television.

Speaking in Downing Street moments afterwards, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "proud" of the role Britain played in Nato airstrikes to protect Libyan civilians after the uprising against Gaddafi's rule began in February.

The Ministry of Defence in London confirmed that Nato warplanes attacked a convoy of vehicles fleeing Sirte.

It is not known whether Gaddafi was in any of the vehicles.

RAF fighters were not involved in the attack, although RAF reconnaissance aircraft were in the area.

Former government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim is reported to have been captured, while Gaddafi's son and anointed heir Saif is thought to be at large in the desert having fled Sirte.