From James Blitz and Hugh Carnegy, the Financial Times:  The exact circumstances under which Colonel Gaddafi came to be killed were still unclear on Thursday, amid suggestions that Nato aircraft may have been involved in helping secure his capture by Libyan forces on the ground.

According to western government sources, a convoy of pro-Gaddafi forces left Sirte early on Thursday, moving westwards. The convoy then split into two parts. Both sections were hit by Nato aircraft launching strikes from the air and Free Libya units on the ground.

Nato issued a statement after the attack saying: “At approximately 08.30 local time today, Nato aircraft struck two pro-Gaddafi forces military vehicles which were part of a larger group manoeuvring in the vicinity of Sirte. “

Although Nato could not confirm that Col Gaddafi was in any part of the convoy that left Sirte, Gérard Longuet, French defence minister, indicated that he was. Mr Longuet said that Col Gaddafi was travelling in a convoy hit by French warplanes, although he suggested they were not directly responsible for his death.    (photo: Getty)

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