Colonel Gaddafi Dead: NTC Say Former Dictator Killed In Gun Battle
Former Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi has been killed, authorities there have confirmed.
Following the news Nato announced that it would be holding an emergency meeting on Thursday to decide whether it was time to end its mission in Libya.
Gaddafi reportedly attempted to break out of the under-siege town of Sirte on Thursday morning, accompanied by a few dozen bodyguards.
His convoy was intercepted by Nato, who confirmed its aircraft had been involved in strikes on military vehicles outside the town at the reported time.
Gaddafi allegedly escaped death after these attacks and ran from the wreckage towards two drainage pipes, where he and his remaining guards attempted to hide from the NTC fighters.
The former leader was discovered soon afterwards, at which point he was already wounded with gunshots to his back and legs, Reuters said.
Libya's interim prime minister said that Gaddafi was alive when his captors put him in a car to evacuate him, as shown by graphic footage caught on mobile phones and broadcast on television stations around the world.
Soon afterwards Gaddafi was reportedly shot in the head and killed in further crossfire, said the Libyan prime minister Mahmoud Jibril on Thursday evening, citing forensic evidence.
The exact details of Gaddafi's death were still subject to some confusion, however, even as graphic pictures and video of his body were broadcast online.
Abu Bakr Yunis, the former Libyan defence minister, was also killed in the attack according to the NTC. It has also been reported by Reuters that Mutassim Gaddafi, the leader's son who was reported to be in Sirte, was killed, and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was wounded and is reportedly in hospital. The exact details as to his condition remain unknown.
Around Libya NTC fighters and civilians have celebrated the news. In Sirte fighters were seen shooting their guns in jubiliation, and there were similar scenes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
[LIBYA CELEBRATES: IN PICTURES]
Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement outside No. 10 Downing Street that Gaddafi's death should help move Libya on to a brighter, democratic future. He also said that he was "proud" of the role that Britain's military had played in Gaddafi's downfall.
"Many, many Libyans died at the hands of this dictator and his global regime," Cameron said. "Today is a day to remember for all of Gaddafi's victims."
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also welcomed Gaddafi's death, hailing the "end of 42 years of tyranny".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Labour leader Ed Miliband and several MPs were also among those who reacted to the death.
Video also emerged of the moment that US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton learned of the news via a message on a mobile phone while giving interviews in Afghanistan.
Following his death, Gaddafi's iconic golden gun was paraded by freedom fighters.
An NTC spokesman claims that the tyrant's body has arrived in Misrata, 60 miles from Sirte.
Reacting to the news, family members of those who died in the 1988 bombing of the Pan-Am 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland said that "the long trail to justice is coming to an end".
Gaddafi, who ruled Libya with an iron fist, had been in hiding since August following the collapse of his regime. His whereabouts were unknown, however rumours suggested that he had fled to Sirte.
Earlier conflicting reports said that Gaddafi had been "captured", not killed. Libyan TV had quoted an NTC official who said that the tyrant had been arrested following the fall of his hometown of Sirte.
More details are emerging about the course of events on Thursday which led to the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Gaddafi reportedly attempted to break out of the under-siege town of Sirte on Thursday morning, accompanied by a few dozen bodyguards.
His convoy was intercepted by Nato, who confirmed its aircraft had been involved in strikes on military vehicles outside the town at the reported time.
Gaddafi allegedly escaped death after these attacks and ran from the wreckage towards two drainage pipes, where he and his remaining guards attempted to hide from the NTC fighters.
The former leader was discovered soon afterwards, at which point he was already wounded with gunshots to his back and legs, Reuters said.
Libya's interim prime minister said that Gaddafi was alive when his captors put him in a car to evacuate him, as shown by graphic footage caught on mobile phones and broadcast on television stations around the world.
Soon afterwards Gaddafi was reportedly shot and killed in further crossfire, said the Libyan prime minister Mahmoud Jibril on Thursday evening, citing forensic evidence.
| @ WilliamJHague : Qadhafi made #Libya a byword for violence & stifled freedom. Now Libyans will be known for courage & persistence in gaining their freedom |
"After 42 years, Colonel Qadhafi's rule of fear has finally come to an end. Libya can draw a line under a long dark chapter in its history and turn over a new page. Now the people of Libya can truly decide their own future.
I call on all Libyans to put aside their differences and work together to build a brighter future.I urge the National Transitional Council to prevent any reprisals against civilians and to show restraint in dealing with defeated pro-Qadhafi forces.
NATO and our partners have successfully implemented the historic mandate of the United Nations to protect the people of Libya. We will terminate our mission in coordination with the United Nations and the National Transitional Council. With the reported fall of Bani Walid and Sirte, that moment has now moved much closer."
The White House spokesperson Jay Carney has told the press corp there that the president views this as "a victory for the Libyan people".
The Libyans are in "a far better place now because of what they achieved with our assistance", he said.
Al Jazeera have also broadcast this video of Gaddafi following his capture.
US President Obama has said it is a "momentous day" in Libya's history.
"This marks the end of a long and painful chapter," he said.
Speaking in the White House rose garden he said the Libyan people "now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya".
"Today we can definitively say that the Gaddafi regime has come to an end.
"The new government is consolidating its control over the country and one of the world's longest serving dictators is no more.
"One year ago the notion of a free Libya seemed impossible, but then the Libyan people rose up and demanded their rights."
He added: "This is a momentous day in the history of Libya, the dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted."
"Across the Arab world, citizen have stood up to claim their rights, youth are delivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship."
AP is reporting that the French defence chief says it was a French jet that fired on a convoy carrying Colonel Gaddafi near Sirte this morning.
British foreign secretary William Hague: “We do not approve of extra-judicial killings but we are not going to mourn him.”
Asked on Sky News whether he beleives the death of Gaddafi will take some of his secrets to the grave he said: "I'm still hopeful that questions will be answered."
Video has emerged of the moment that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton learned of the death of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi via a message on her mobile phone.
Clinton was undergoing a series of interviews in Kabul, Afghanistan, when an aide handed her a phone with the unconfirmed news of Gaddafi's capture.
"Wow," Clinton said on learning the news. "Unconfirmed."
The Spectator has posted a video of David Cameron's statement on Libya.
The magazine's Coffee House blog says that while the prime minister may be facing a showdown at home over the EU, he can "go to bed knowing that his leadership and diplomatic acumen helped rescue many people from death and terror".
A special meeting of the North Atlantic Council is expected to be held tomorrow to consider bringing Nato's air campaign in Libya to an end.
Colonel Gaddafi fled to hide in a drainage pipe underneath a highway in the coastal town of Sirte, according to reports by Libyan TV channels.
A gallery of photos showing where he was said to have been found can be seen here.
The Labour Party has just issued two further statements on Gaddafi's death.
Douglas Alexander MP, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, said:“This is a momentous day in the history of Libya, and closes a dark 42 year long chapter in the county’s history.
"All of us will hope this will also mark an end to the present fighting in Libya, but the challenges facing the NTC remain great.”
Jim Murphy MP, Labour's shadow defence secretary, said:“At this historic moment for the people of Libya, this should also be a time of reflection for us at home on the professionalism of our Armed Forces.
"The NATO effort played a vital role in bringing Libya to this historic point and huge praise must go to the service personnel who have helped to end brutality, protect civilians and set Libya on a path to a secure, democratic and peaceful future.
"Challenges remain and their solutions will be led by the Libyan people themselves, backed by the support of the international community.”
United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said that the road ahead for Libya will be "difficult and full of challenges".
"Now is the time for all Libyans to come together," he said.
He said Libyans on all side of the conflict "must lay down their arms in peace".
"This is a time for rebuilding for generosity of spirit, not for revenge.
"Libyans must be able to recognize themselves in the nation's government and leadership.
He added: "The high hopes sustained through the long days of revolution and conflict must translate in to opportunities and justice for all."
Celebrations have erupted on the streets of Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, following the confirmation by the National Transitional Council that the deposed leader is dead .
Despite conflicting reports of how he was finally killed, the sound of celebratory gun fire and car horns blasting indicated the new atmosphere of joy and relief in the costal town.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has just sent out this statement on the death of Colonel Gaddafi:
"The death of Colonel Gaddafi marks the end of a tragic period in Libyan history marked by brutality and repression."I pay tribute to the Libyan people for standing up to the former regime and seeking to define their own democratic destiny. We should be proud of the support that our armed forces have given to that cause.
"We should all hope that this day also marks the end of the armed conflict and the start of a period of stability where we see a transition to democratic government.
"Britain should stand ready to continue to help the National Transitional Council as it seeks to improve economic and social conditions, ensure order and prepare for elections."
British prime minister David Cameron has just delivered a statement on Gaddafi's death.
"Prime minister Mohammed Jibril has confirmed that colonel Gaddafi is dead. Today is a day to remember all of Colonel Gaddafi's victims," he said.
"From Lockerbie to Yvonne Fletcher and obviously all the victims of IRA terrorism through their use of Libyan Semtex.
"We should also remember the many, many Libyans who died at the hands of this brutal dictator.
"People in Libya now have an even grater chance after this news of building a strong and democratic future.
And he said he was "proud of the role Britain has played in helping them bring that about."
He added: "We will help them, we will work with them."
The Libyan charge d'affaires in London, Mahmud Nacua, has just given a press conference.
He said the death of Gaddafi has "drawn the curtain on Gaddafi's crimes".
"Their brave actions [the rebels] have spared Libya and the world from any further suffering ... today Libya's future begins, Gaddafi's black era has come to an end forever," he said.
"The Libyan people are looking to a very promising future.
He said the Libyan people were looking forward to a "free, democratic and just state for which they have fought for for about eight months now".
"Our people have paid a high price, about 40,000 martyrs have given their souls and lives for the freedom of their country.
"We appreciate very much the help of the international community to get rid of Gaddafi and his crimes."
At a press conference in Benghazi, NTC spokesman Abdel Ghogha confirmed that Gaddafi had been killed.
"We would like to present to our sons and daughters and in Libya and all countries ... the news of the end of tyranny and dictatorship in Libya after the revolutionaries have been able to get to the head of the tyrant."
"And who has met his fate and destiny, which is the the fate and destiny of all dictators and tyrants.
"We will announce to the world that Muammar Gaddafi has been killed at the hands of the revolutionaries.
"And Gaddafi's tyranny and dictatorship has been finally ended, and this chapter has been closed for Libya and all of the world."
His words were met with cries of "Allahu Akbar" by some at the press conference.
| @ lindseyhilsum : Jibril says fighters engaged with armed convoy believed to include #Seif al #Gadaffi |
Channel 4 News' Lindsey Hilsum, who is in Libya, has reported that Mahmoud Jibril, Libya's Interim Leader, has announced Gaddafi's death
|
| @ lindseyhilsum : Md Jibril announces death of #Gadaffi at presser and #Libyans all shout Allah Akbar. |
AP is reporting that United States officials have been told by Libyan leaders that Gaddafi is dead.
A fighter claims to have shot Gaddafi and stolen his golden pistol.
According to reports, a man named Mohammed al-Bibi said that he took the ornate, golden pistol, which Gaddafi had often been photographed holding, after shooting him dead.
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has given her reaction to the reports.
"I will wait to comment on it until we know if it is true, and which is true," she said.
"I think it would mean a lot to them (the NTC) they were fighting so hard to get Sirte which is Gaddafi's hometown and to try to end the fighting phase of their revolution and begin the building phase.
"They knew that if Gaddafi remained at large he would continue to buy mercenaries and cause problems for them.
"If they know he is no longer a threat to them that will ease the transition process into a new government."
Sky News has reported that some of the text on the photo of tunnels where Gaddafi is said to have been captured reads: "This is the place where the rat Gaddafi was hiding."
On a hugely historic day, you can always rely on the power of Twitter to produce the lighter side of a serious news story.
While there are thousands of tweets about the breaking news, others look at the story with a slightly more humourous attitude including one tweeter who said: "Westlife and Gadaffi in one week. This is too much to take."
A image has been shown on Al Jazeera which is said to be where Gaddafi was captured. This has not been confirmed.
This is a screen grab of the video shown by Al Jazeera. The man is said to be Colonel Gaddafi moments after his capture.
Al Jazeera are showing video footage of of what is claimed to be Gaddafi being captured. From the footage a man who looks like Gaddafi is laying bloodied on the floor.
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The Huffington Post UK Paul Vale and Michael Rundle First Posted: 20/10/11 13:41 BST Updated: 20/10/11 22:21 BST