Work on clearing the Gaddafi regime's former Tripoli stronghold is to start soon, according to the Prime Minister's office.

A 22 August statement said that a specialist military team would first survey the site for any unexploded bombs before the Ministry of Housing and Utilities took over to remove waste and rubble.

Large parts of the complex were bombed by NATO forces during the 2011 conflict, and many destroyed buildings have been largely left derelict for the past two years.

The site, which covers around six square kilometres, is to be transformed by the Ministry of Tourism into a public park and recreation area.