Muammar Qadhafi, the former Libyan strongman who fled into hiding after rebels toppled his regime two months ago in the Arab Spring's most violent uprising, was killed on Thursday as fighters battling the vestiges of his loyalist forces wrested control of his hometown of Sirte, the interim government announced.
Al-Jazeera television showed what it said was Colonel Qadhafi's corpse as jubilant fighters in Sirte fired automatic weapons in the air, punctuating what appeared to be an emphatic and violent ending to his four decades as the self-proclaimed king of kings of Africa.
Libyans rejoiced as news of his death spread. Car horns blared in Tripoli as residents poured into the streets to celebrate.
Mahmoud Shammam, the chief spokesman of the National Transitional Council, the interim government that replaced Colonel Qadhafi's regime after he fled Tripoli in late August, confirmed that the Libyan leader was killed, though he did not provide other details.
“A new Libya is born today,” he said. “This is the day of real liberation. We were serious about giving him a fair trial. It seems God has some other wish.”
Abdul Hakim Belhaj, the leader of the Tripoli military council, said on Al-Jazeera that anti-Qadhafi forces had the body.
It was not clear precisely how he died. Some reports, which could not be verified, recounted that Colonel Qadhafi was arrested, wounded by gunshots and died in custody.
Libya's interim leaders had said they believed that some Qadhafi family members, including the colonel himself and some of his sons, had been hiding in Sirte or in Bani Walid, another loyalist bastion that the anti-Qadhafi forces captured earlier this week.
There was no immediate comment on the news of his death from U.S. officials or from NATO, which conducted a prolonged bombing campaign against Colonel Qadhafi's military during the uprising that led to his downfall.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, travelling with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Afghanistan, said the department was aware of the reports “on the capture or killing of Muammar Qadhafi.”
There was also no immediate comment from Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, the interim government's top official. But he had said that the death or capture of Colonel Qadhafi would allow him to declare the country liberated and in control of its borders, and to start a process that would lead to a general election for a national council within eight months.
Libyan fighters said earlier on Thursday that they had routed the last remaining forces loyal to Colonel Qadhafi's from Sirte, ending weeks of fierce fighting in that Mediterranean enclave east of Tripoli.
A military spokesman for the interim government, Abdel-Rahman Busin, said: “Sirte is fully liberated.” — New York Times News Service
Keywords: Muammar Qadhafi, Libya unrest, Arab Spring, NATO strike
is it "Qadhafi" or "Gaddafi"??
Now Libya free from the dictatorship and all Libyan free from a dictator but they forgot that the power(USA)is with them. one day all Libyan would be captured by those power then these Libyan will remember the Gaddafi.USA can not help to anyone without benefit.
Why people tend to become so mild? These photographs show reality. And knowing reality is very important.
The Hindu has always been very ethical in their publication. This is not as gruesome as many other newspapers show. Do not blame 'The Hindu'.
I hope Libyans have a peaceful elections and select a democratic government. My wishes on behalf of all Indians.
Thank God!! India is not oil rich.
Every pic will tell its story. Why blame 'the Hindu' for that?
Saddam,Quadhafi,next...?
I have been one of the staunchest supporters of the rebels and the NATO involvement in the Revolution since February. But that does not mean I condone this murder in any way. He should have been handed over to the ICC. Contrary to the statements from Tripoli, there is nothing glorious about shooting a defenseless man. The Colonel lived by the sword and should have expected to die by it. But by killing him like this, the rebels have become what they despised about the Colonel himself. This killing really belies the rebels' having been all doctors, lawyers, teachers and students. Even if they were, they have tasted blood now and are far away from national reconciliation.
btw, where are the ethical standards of the Hindu? Wasn't expecting this picture to appear in this paper.
His last footage were disturbing, the way he was killed.This should be a 'taught for life' for all those eccentric inhuman dictators and zealots all over the world, who lead a span of luxury, often stamping their subjects to the ground. Their mad illusions of power and military expansion, blindfolds them to the dangers associated in the mere future. Hardly Gaddafi could presume himself being butchered like a swine.The worlds best policemen, what i label them as "Three Musketeers" US, Great Britain and France have once again defied charlatanry despots, and have been successful in brnging back democracy. Gaddafi, Osama and Alwaki have suffered defeats and met dogs death.
Finally a day of celebration to the Libyan's.
This is brutal murder by terrorism instituted by USA. Libya is oil rich country and west played a dirty game making other oil rich countries vulnerable for terrorism by USA. The whole world know the fact that west is eyeing the oil rich countries and the rest is just watching dirty games helplessly. I pray for the soul to rest in peace.
History repeats itself...First as a tragedy and then as a farce.First it was Saddam now its Gaddafi god knows who next.This may not be be great people and may be dictators but they were also exceptionally brave ppl to take on the empire.In balance I believe they were on the postive side and hopefully history will absolve them finally though there will be lots of negative news about them in the corporate media initally.To my mind these two were like TIPU SULATN of India and died like a tiger fighting rather than live like a mouse being the stooge of the EMPIRE
It is a peoples victory.libyan got the liberty from the strong man.Now they should choose for democratic norms for development.As govt official stated they should go for general elections.
There would have been no need to see this/similar day/s.If only the "Champions of Liberty/ies", in the west had turned down lucrative business offers(read slush money)from Dictators sitting on Black Gold.As the Father of the Nation said,"Means cannot be justified by the ends".Osama was acceptable,when it was war against the Russians in Afghanistan,till he gnashed his teeth against the handlers. History is not only strange, it often times repeats it self.
Your article,Gaddafi killed as fighters wrest his home town,was a good to read.
The Era of Libyan Dictator Gaddafi was over.For many decades he was ruling the rich Oil wealth Tripoli and it's people with his own style.He was ruling the country ,with out the Support and sanctions of US , and Western shows his nature and Dictatorship.I Hope in the coming days ,will be Peaceful for the Libyan People,with the new Administration Change.
Fall of Dictator . Now Westerners will come with helping Hand and Years pass without much notice ;-) . Then people realize Tyrant's autocratic rule worth than democracy under watchful eyes of foreigners -RIP Autocratic Ruler.
I don't know if it will make any difference, or even reader's views are considered. however I feel that putting strong pictures of bloodshed etc. (here Gadaffi's picture) only make your newspaper feel cheap. I have been requesting not to put such pictures, as they don't bring anything better to news than sensation.
It is disappointing to find The Hindu continues to publish needlessly disturbing images as part of its front page reporting. This alleged picture of Qadhafi does not figure on the front pages of the NY Times, The BBC, CNN or The Washington Post. The Guardian published a photo of someone holding this photo- at least one level removed, though still disturbing. The Hindu finds itself as a lone wolf here.
While it may be argued that graphic images of violent domestic incidents should be published with the aim of engaging Indians in their country's problems, there is no such justification here. It is not even certain if the photo is what it claims to be! Sensationalism seems to be only motivation, which is a misguided notion given that the average Hindu reader is likely to react as I react here. Please desist from publishing such pictures in the future. Thanks.
I do not appreciate the fact that Hindu publishes very gruesome pictures (Like the one of Qaddafi in the above article) without any consideration of their graphic nature. These images can be disturbing to some readers. On an earlier occasion there was a picture of bomb blast victims lying in a pool of blood. I know it is commercially very enticing to grab attention but please have consideration of the fact that everybody has access to your website. At least have a warning regarding the graphic nature of the picture.
nce a person is dead it is for the rest of us to show dignity for however bad the person was when alive. Such blood washed picture are not the style of The Hindu paper I have known over two decades. Thank you for hearing me out.
It is unethical and irresponsible for the media to publish gruesome pictures on a front page article. Please have respect for younger audiences.
this is a gruesome picture! please have some restraint on what you publish. or at least have a warning!
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