(File Image) Picture dated July 21, 1989 shows Libya strong man Muammar Gaddafi during prayers at a mosque in Bamako - AFP

A gunbattle erupted on Wednesday near the beach house of slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saadi, in central Tripoli.

Thick smoke billowed from near the house as rival militias, using heavy machineguns, clashed in the mostly business district not far from luxurious hotels like Corinthia Bab al-Africa and the yet-to-open J.W. Mariott.

The cause was unclear, but some witnesses said the militias were fighting for control of the house.

Saadi fled Libya across its southern frontier to Niger in August during the fall of Tripoli that ended his authoritarian father's 42-year regime.