A LIBYAN refugee has been celebrating as Col Gaddafi’s regime crumbled.

But Adbul Turki, who fled Tripoli in 1975, says he doesn’t want revenge on the dictator who has ruled Libya with an iron fist since 1969.

Mr Turki, who moved to Huddersfield in 1980 to study, said: “Gaddafi needs to be tried but I’m not bothered if he’s tried in Libya or at The Hague. I’m just glad he’s on the way out.

“Some people will be out for revenge but I’m not vengeful as long as he gets a decent trial.”

There was heavy fighting in Tripoli around the compound of embattled Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi yesterday, after rebels seized control of much of the city on Sunday.

Jubilant crowds gathered in central Green Square, previously the scene of nightly pro-Gaddafi demonstrations.

And Egypt said it would recognise the rebels as the legitimate government.

Meanwhile, rebel leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), said he had no idea where Col Gaddafi might be.

He told a news conference on Monday afternoon that areas around the colonel's Bab al-Azizia compound in Tripoli were not yet under rebel control.

"We have no knowledge of Gaddafi being there, or whether he is still in or outside Libya," he said.

Mr Turki, 56, was forced into exile because he belonged to a democratic opposition group in Libya.

But Mr Turki, of Taylor Hill, says he hopes to return to his native neighbourhood where some of his relatives still live.

Mr Turki, who has raised cash to send medical supplies to Libya, said: “Everyone is waiting to go back. Hopefully I will go back soon but I’m attached to Huddersfield.”

Rebel forces seized the majority of the Libyan capital yesterday morning, forcing Col Gaddafi into hiding.

His son Saif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, was yesterday captured by anti-Gaddafi troops.

Mr Turki said: “I’m very, very happy. I’ve my mum and dad here and we’re all very happy. There’s real joy.

“It’s fantastic news after 42 years of dictatorship. There’s no way Gaddafi is going to get control of Libya again.

“I phoned my brother in my old neighbourhood and he had been liberated.

“Tripoli was not a stronghold for Gaddafi. I don’t think a lot of people were loyal to him – they hated him. They were too terrified to protest as you and your family would be arrested.

“We’re celebrating here. It’s a relief for everyone.”