Breaking News of the Day: Libya’s interim government confirmed this morning that former dictator Muammar Gaddafi has died from injuries sustained during the sacking of his hometown of Sirte.
“There was a lot of firing against his group and he died,” National Transitional Council official Abdel Majid Mlegta is quoted as saying. Neither the State Department nor NATO have been able to independently verify the NTC’s report.
Gaddafi is said to have been hiding in a hole, and reportedly called out “don’t shoot” as fighters moved in to grab him. One of the fighters who says he was present claims he was “brandishing a golden pistol” belonging to Gaddafi.
An uncomfirmed photo purporting to show a heavily wounded Gaddafi moments after capture was posted online. An NTC official has confirmed the photo’s authenticity.
If confirmed, Gaddafi’s death would mark a definitive end to the eight-month-long uprising that officially began with a “Day of Revolt” on February 17.
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[reuters / thelede / dailybeast / video: ap.]
