BENGHAZI: Libyan businessmen have offered $1.67 million for the capture of Muammar Gaddafi, dead or alive, the head of the rebel National Transitional Council said on Wednesday.

"The NTC supports the initiative of businessmen who are offering two million dinars for the capture of Muammar Gaddafi, dead or alive," Mustafa Abdel Jalil said.

Abdel Jalil, Gaddafi's former justice minister who defected in mid-February, also offered amnesty to "members of (Gaddafi's) close circle who kill him or capture him."

"Muammar Gaddafi regime will not be over until he is captured dead or alive," Abdel Jalil insisted. "We fear a catastrophe because of his behaviour," he added.

Abdel Jalil also confirmed reports that pro-Gaddafi gunmen were still on the loose inside the strongman's Bab al-Aziziya compound, although it fell to rebels on Tuesday.

"As long as Gaddafi is not captured, the loyalists will continue to shoot," said Abdel Jalil. The rebel chief also called on residents of Gaddafi's hometown in Sirte, and those in Bin Walid, to join rebel ranks.

"Gaddafi has played up divisions in these regions by telling residents that rebels will come and take their women and their money. They should not believe these lies made by the tyrant," he said.

Gaddafi, whose whereabouts are a mystery, had offered a reward for the capture of Abdel Jalil in March, after he joined the rebels in their strnghold of Benghazi.