A high-ranking military officer who was said to be part of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's "inner circle" was arrested by the rebels when attempting to flee to Tunisia, Tunisian official press agency TAP reported Wednesday, quoting a rebel military source.

"Nagi Ahrir was arrested on Aug. 23 at a border crossing while he was attempting to flee into Tunisia with some 23,000 U.S. dollars," Libyan rebel colonel Salem Kherfa was quoted as saying.

The man was reportedly arrested in Zawiya, some 40 km from the Libyan capital Tripoli, along with his sons, driver and a bodyguard.

The man was a member of the "Gaddafi clan" and a former head of the Libyan leader's guards, Kherfa said, adding that he had commanded the brigades led by two of Gaddafi's sons, Saadi and Khamis.

The rebels hope that the arrest will eventually put them on the track of the Libyan leader, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Meanwhile, TAP said Wednesday the main Tunisian-Libyan border crossing of Ras El Jedir has witnessed a surge of traffic on both ways since it was reopened on Sunday.

A joyful atmosphere reigned on the Libyan side of the border crossing as hundreds of Libyan families heading home, celebrated their victory through an impressive display of fireworks, or simply by honking their horns, TAP reported.

After gaining control of the Libyan side of Ras El Jedir, the Libyan rebels are using manual procedures, pending the resumption of the computer system, TAP said.