LIBYA’S REBEL LEADERSHIP has claimed the capture of a third of Muammar Gaddafi’s seven sons.

Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, the head of the National Transitional Council, told AP that al-Saadi Gaddafi was captured in Tripoli last night, alongside his elder brother Seif al-Islam.

The report had not been verified elsewhere. The International Criminal Court has already confirmed the capture of Seif, the second-eldest son. The eldest, Muhammad, is also said to have been captured.

Al-Saadi is one of Muammar’s more high-profile children, largely owing to his status as a professional footballer. He is a former captain of the national side, scoring twice in his 18 appearances.

He also played for Libyan sides Alahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad Tripoli – scoring 20 goals in 74 appearances with the later – before he moved to Italy, signing for Serie A outfit Perugia.

He failed a drugs test after just one appearance with Perugia, however, and did not play again for the remainder of his two-year contract. He then moved to Udinese – again, only playing once – before spending a year with Sampdoria, where he did not play a single game.

Last year an Italian court ordered al-Saadi to pay €392,000 to a hotel where he had spent a month living in 2007. He had left without settling his bill.

Read: Battle for Gaddafi compound as Tripoli falls into rebel hands >