NTC official claims Gaddafi dead
Updated
There are unconfirmed reports deposed Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi has died of wounds suffered during his capture near his home town of Sirte.
National Transitional Council official Abdel Majid Mlegta earlier said Gaddafi was captured and wounded in both legs as he tried to flee Sirte in a convoy which NATO warplanes attacked.
"He was also hit in his head," he said. "There was a lot of firing against his group and he died."
There was no independent confirmation of Gaddafi's
death and NATO said it was still checking on the reports, which could take some time to confirm."We are checking and assessing the situation," a NATO official said.
"Clearly these are very significant developments, which will take time to confirm. If it is true, then this is truly a historic day for the people of Libya."
Earlier, another NTC commander also said Gaddafi was badly wounded.
"He has been captured. He is badly wounded, but he is still breathing," Mohamed Leith told AFP, adding that he had seen Gaddafi himself and that he was wearing a khaki uniform and a turban.
Libyan TV channel Libya lil Ahrar also said Gaddafi was in custody, but a pro-Gaddafi television website denied the strongman had been killed or captured.
Mr Majid said Gaddafi was caught trying to flee Sirte in a convoy which NATO warplanes attacked.
Other reports said he was found hiding in a hole shouting "don't shoot, don't shoot".
The US State Department said it could not confirm the news of Gaddafi's capture.
"We've seen the media reports but can't confirm them," spokeswoman Beth Gosselin told Reuters.
In Sirte, medics said the defence minister in Gaddafi's ousted regime, Abu Bakr Yunis, had been killed in the final battle for the strongman's hometown.
His body was identified at the field hospital where it was brought in a pick-up truck on Thursday, Dr Abdu Rauf said.
Ahmed Ibrahim, a cousin and adviser of Gaddafi, was also captured.
In the capital Tripoli, sounds of gunshots were heard and people cheered in the street: "God is Great, God is Great, Gaddafi has been captured".
Earlier, Libyan interim government fighters claimed they had captured Gaddafi's home town of Sirte, extinguishing the last significant holdout of resistance by troops loyal to the deposed leader and ending a two-month siege.
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