NTC confirms, details Gaddafi's death
Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:37PM
LAST UPDATE
Libya's Interim Prime Minister Mahmud Jibril (file photo)
Libya's interim prime minister has confirmed the death of the country's former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, saying he was shot in the head 'in crossfire' between his supporters and Libyan fighters.
On Thursday, the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC)'s second-in-command, Mahmud Jibril, said, a vehicle transferring Gaddafi from his hideout "was caught in crossfire between Gaddafi fighters and the revolutionaries, and he was shot in the head," AFP reported.
The 69-year-old was caught in a sewage pipe on the outskirts of his northern hometown of Sirte. He is said to have been captured, while riding in a motorcade attempting to flee the city, located 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital Tripoli.
"When he was found, he was in good health, carrying a gun," Jibril said.
He "was alive up to last moment, until he arrived at hospital" in the northwestern city of Misratah, the official said.
Earlier in the day, the NTC announced that its fighters had asserted full control of Sirte after overcoming resistance from forces loyal to Gaddafi.
Television footage showed people rejoicing over his death across Libya and tearing up his portraits.
Ruler since 1969, Gaddafi started to lose his grip on power in February with the outbreak of a popular revolution against his despotic regime.
The revolution witnessed intense fighting between the government troops and opposition fighters.
In August, the fighters wrested command of Tripoli and Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziyah compound in the capital.
Gaddafi is the first dictator to be killed in the wave of the popular uprisings and revolutions, which started to sweep the North Africa and Middle East in the last days of 2010.
AGB/HN
