Map of Gaddafi's compound

Gaddafi's Bab Al-Aziziya compound was the nerve centre of his government.

For the rebels, it was an important power base in the Libyan capital that had to be conquered.

It was Gaddafi's primary home and the base of operations for fighters loyal to his government throughout the six months of the uprising.

Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports that there are many unconfirmed rumours about the size of the compound - including extensive labyrinths.