Opposition fighters in eastern Libya took control of the oil port of Ras Lanuf on Tuesday as soldiers loyal to Muammar Gaddafi retreated toward the leader's home town of Sirte, an opposition spokesperson said.

Rebels appeared to be in the final phases of a six-month uprising aimed at ending Gaddafi's 42-year rule, having stormed his compound in Tripoli earlier on Tuesday, though Gaddafi's whereabouts remained a mystery.

"We have taken Ras Lanuf. They just ran until the Red Valley," opposition spokesperson Mohammad Zawawi said, adding the Red Valley was in the direction of Sirte.

Zawawi said there was no damage to the oil facilities in Ras Lanuf and the only damage at Brega, taken by the rebels on Monday, was an oil storage tank that was on fire.