Muammar Gaddafi,who for decades enjoyed strutting before the public in his finery,has disappeared as rebels take over his former stronghold Tripoli. While there has been no confirmation of his whereabouts,several theroies have been floated: Still in country: The Pentagon said officials believe hes still in the country. Defence Department spokesman Col Dave Lapan said,We do not have any information that he has left the country. Not in Tripoli: Gaddafis foes speculate he may not be in the Libyan capital or even in the country. If he has fled Tripoli,one possible bolt-hole would be Sirte,his home region,where he could still find some support. It may also be likely that he is in a bunker in some military compound. Options outside country: Over the years dictators have found refuge in Panama (the Shah of Iran),Hawaii (the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos),Saudi Arabia (Ugandas Idi Amin) and France (various). Close ally Venezuela may also provide an exit route. South Africa,which led a failed African mediation effort,said Monday it was not aiding Gaddafis exit. Whats on his mind: Gaddafi must surely be contemplating his fate and considering those of other toppled strongmen. Egypts Hosni Mubarak is now on trial. Tunisias Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is in exile in Saudi Arabia. After a long manhunt,Saddam Hussein was ignominiously found hiding in a hole nine months after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. He was hanged. An internationally supervised trial might be the best option for Gaddafi. agencies
