Western sources confirm Qaddafi was captured in Sirte and died of wounds
Western sources confirm Qaddafi was captured in Sirte and died of wounds
( Assad… The line forms to the left. – JW )
Western sources confirm the NTC report that Muammar Qaddafi was captured Thursday, Oct. 20 in or near Sirte. There are conflicting reports of his condition. He was said wounded in two legs, according to an NTC official. According to Arab sources, he has died of his wounds possibly in a NATO air strike of his convoy as he was in flight from Sirte, one of his last strongholds. The State Department has not been able to confirm the report of Qaddafi’s capture or death. Rebel troops are celebrating the end of the 42-year Libyan ruler although there is no independent confirmation of Qaddafi’s capture or death.
.Earlier Thursday, the NTC claimed to have achieved complete control of the city after long months of siege against fierce resistance. For weeks, he was believed be hiding in Libya’s southern desert.
As long as Qaddafi was at liberty, the interim government was prevented from establishing its legitimacy and a stable administration. His capture completes the rebel victory. The interim regime must decide whether to try the deposed ruler before a local court or hand him over to the international court.
For the rebel forces, Qaddafi’s capture or death would be a major psychological and political triumph. However, Libya remains bitterly polarized between pro- and anti-Qaddafi factions with scores of rival militias and hundreds of tribes at each other’s throats. Qaddafi’s demise rather than promoting unity and ending the conflict could trigger wider civil bloodshed.
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security.
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