Photographs: Julien Muguet/Reuters
"There is a Tripoli above ground and a Tripoli underground," a rebel commander exclaimed as his men stumbled upon what had long been rumoured -- an elaborate secret underground network.
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Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: Citizens tour an an underground jail that oppostion supporters excavated at a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar GaddafiPhotographs: Getty Images
The rebel commanders said that the maze of tunnels probably explained Gaddafi's ability to appear anywhere in the city without being seen. The commanders guess that Gaddafi who could have the blueprint fled the city through these, The Telegraph reported.
Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: A Libyan man shows a door in the extensive underground tunnels running under Gaddafi's residencePhotographs: Julien Muguet/Reuters
The tunnels are wide enough to accommodate small vehicles and rebel troops found abandoned golf buggies, which appeared to have been used by Gaddafi, his family and aides to move around quickly and comfortably under the city.
The tunnels, which have become an attraction for curious rebels, are high enough for two people to walk comfortably abreast, their walls are of thick concrete and doors are of heavy metal.Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: A Libyan man walks through a door in the extensive underground tunnelsPhotographs: Julien Muguet/Reuters
Some of the corridors led to well equipped bomb proof bunkers, crammed with communication equipment including hundreds of phones, probably used as command and control centres.
Other bunkers contained shelves stacked with boxes, files and documents. Some rooms had enough food and water supplies to sustain occupants for weeks.
Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: A rebel fighter is seen at the south gate of the Bab al Aziziya compound as they make a final push to flush out pro-Gaddafi forces from the compound in Tripoli. The sign on the wall reads Welcome, our dear guestPhotographs: Reuters
The rebels also stumbled upon stores of weapons and gas masks, suggesting that the tunnels had been prepared to provide sanctuary in the event of a nuclear or a chemical attack.
Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: A rebel fighter is seen at the south gate of the Bab al Aziziya compoundPhotographs: Reuters
In 1986, his Bab al-Aziziya compound was the scene of a bombing raid by the US in response for Libya's alleged involvement in a terrorist attack on a nightclub in West Berlin.
Gaddafi's secret underground city
Image: Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli, Libya, is pictured in this satellite imagePhotographs: Reuters
But in times to come, they have the potential to become tourist attractions like Vietnam's Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh city.
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