The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant yesterday for Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, and rebels trying to oust him said their forces had advanced to within 80 kmu00a0 of the capital Tripoli.

The court approved warrants for Gaddafi as well as his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.


Libyans celebrate in Misrata after receiving the news of a warrant issued against Gaddafi

ICC prosecutors allege they were involved in the killing of protesters who rose up in February against Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

Gaddafi has "absolute, ultimate and unquestioned control" over Libya's state apparatus and its security forces, presiding judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng said in reading out the ruling.

She added that both Gaddafi and Saif al-Islam "conceived and orchestrated a plan to deter and quell by all means the civilian demonstrations" against the regime and that al-Senussi used his position of command to have attacks carried out.

Gaddafi's government denies targeting civilians, accusing NATO jets staging air strikes on behalf of rebels of doing so.