Former Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi Killed
- Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:40am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Moammar Gadhafi, who ruled Libya with a dictatorial grip for 42 years until he was ousted by his own people in an uprising that turned into a bloody civil war, was killed Thursday when revolutionary forces overwhelmed his hometown, Sirte, the last major bastion of resistance two months after his regime fell.
(Related: See the alleged photo of a dead Moammar Gadhafi)
A senior NTC official told Reuters that Gadhafi was shot in both the legs and the head and that he died from his wounds. “He was also hit in his head,” the official said. “There was a lot of firing against his group and he died.”
(Related: See the alleged video of a dead Moammar Gadhafi)
The 69-year-old Gadhafi is the first leader to be killed in the Arab Spring wave of popular uprisings that swept the Midde East, demanding the end of autocratic rulers and greater democracy. Gadhafi had been one of the world’s most mercurial leaders, dominating Libya with a regime that often seemed run by his whims and bringing international condemnation and isolation on his country for years.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Moammar Gadhafi has been killed,” Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril told a news conference in the capital Tripoli.
Earlier this morning, Reuters reported the following:
Deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was captured and wounded in both legs near his hometown of Sirte at dawn on Thursday, National Transitional Council official Abdel Majid said.
Majid reported the capture after Libyan interim government fighters took the town on Thursday, extinguishing the last significant resistance by forces loyal to the former leader and ending a two-month siege.
“He’s captured. He’s wounded in both legs … He’s been taken away by ambulance,” the senior NTC military official told Reuters by telephone.
Gaddafi was trying to flee in a convoy which NATO warplanes attacked, Majid said. The head of Gaddafi’s armed forces Abu Bakr Younus Jabr had been killed during the capture of the Libyan ex-leader, he added.
Majid said NATO warplanes struck the convoy and hit four cars as it headed west. Ahmed Ibrahim, a cousin and adviser of Gaddafi, was also captured.
In the capital Tripoli, sounds of gun shots were heard and people cheered in the street: “God is Great, God is Great, Gaddafi has been captured.”
Sen. John McCain released a statement acknowledging the death:
“The death of Muammar Qaddafi marks an end to the first phase of the Libyan revolution. While some final fighting continues, the Libyan people have liberated their country. Now the Libyan people can focus all of their immense talents on strengthening their national unity, rebuilding their country and economy, proceeding with their democratic transition, and safeguarding the dignity and human rights of all Libyans. The United States, along with our European allies and Arab partners, must now deepen our support for the Libyan people, as they work to make the next phase of their democratic revolution as successful as the fight to free their country.”
The news comes hours after reports that Libyan fighters captured the former dictator’s hometown of Sirte on Thursday, which contained the last holdouts of pro-Gadhafi forces.
Celebratory gunfire and cries of “Allahu Akbar” or “God is Great” rang out across Tripoli as the reports spread. Cars honked their horns and people hugged each other. In Sirte, the ecstatic former rebels celebrated the city’s fall after weeks of bloody siege by firing endless rounds into the sky, pumping their guns, knives and even a meat cleaver in the air and singing the national anthem.
Initial caution in making a definitive announcement came because past reports of Gadhafi family deaths or captures have later proven incorrect, even after they were announced by officials, because of the confusion among the revolutionary forces’ ranks and the multiple bodies involved in commanding their fighters.
Gadhafi loyalists who have escaped could still continue the fight and attempt to organize an insurgency using the vast amount of weapons Gadhafi was believed to have stored in hideouts in the remote southern desert.
Unlike Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Gadhafi had no well-organized political party that could form the basis of an insurgent leadership. However, regional and ethnic differences have already appeared among the ranks of the revolutionaries, possibly laying the foundation for civil strife.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will be added as they come in.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (224)
capitalismrocks
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:25amAbout time they caught him.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:05am9 Am Mummer dead? Who gets his Michael Jackson Clothing Collection??
Killing this cockroach means little, What happens NOW is the key. Dare I say another puzzle piece in the Caliphate?
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:17amGaddafi shot in the legs? Jeeesh — where does Blaze get information? So this from the UK is fake?
Report Post »(warning very graphic with blood bullet holes, etc of DEAD Gaddafi)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051361/Gaddafi-captured-rebel-forces-control-Sirte.html
Detroit paperboy
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:40amGood , now maybe they can come and get pelosi, reid, and frank….. I can dream cant i ???
ChiefGeorge
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 11:15amSounds like they captured him…then killed him. Nice touch! I for one am glad to see his reign of terror end. I‘m sure he’ll be replaced by another crazy man but for now I am glad he has met his end through US help or directly.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 11:24amMay Be dead.. thanks for adding that in about 3 hours later.. Sheesh !!
Report Post »not funny
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:35pmWhen Hillary made her surprise visit to Libya, did she tell them where to find Gaddafi? Maybe she took the intelligence reports with her and gave them to the rebels.
Report Post »woolie877
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:57pm@ vechorik,
Report Post »If you read the whole article that you linked to it tells you that he was already injured in the legs when they pulled him from the storm drain. C’mon, don’t be another on of the drive bys.
A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:57pmThis was NOT our war. Obama violated our Constitution in order to interfere in Libya.
Obama needs to be tried for treason, and then sentenced to death by Congress.
WMDeception
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:09pmYou a troll or oblivious to life?
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:42pmHeck….the way Obama is going we won’t have any need for Gitmo. Left foreign policy……water boarding is bad and inhumane. We just assassinate those we disagree with. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad the loon met his maker. Just another day trying to understand the way Libs put their thoughts together.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 2:29pmThis is very sad that we applaud such barbaric means to an end for a human being. He may have been a real bad guy, but even HE should have had a trial by his peers. Slaughter without the chance for self-defense is not the American way.
Personally, I would have liked to have shared the gospel with that man before they caught him. God have mercy on even him. I will not be a man’s judge and jury. I leave that up to God, unless it is in a viable court of law (yes, I believe in the death penalty for murders). They should have brought that man to justice – REAL JUSTICE not a kangaroo court or a mob rule.
Shame on us to take this man’s life and death lightly SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. He also had a soul which is now somewhere FOR ETERNITY.
Report Post »Theleftisda
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 2:44pmPeople don‘t get me wrong I’m glad this lowlife is dead.
Report Post »just one little problem our government just admitted he was hit by an American drone!
WTF by are own laws we are not allowed to kill leaders of other countries
copatriots
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 2:53pmSorry, I SUPPORT, while I appreciate your position I just can’t go there with you. Gaddhafi was an enemy of God and His children. He sponsored terrorism that killed Christians and Americans. God formed Gaddhafi and knew the number of his days before he was born. Gaddhafi had almost 70 years on this earth and surely had exposure to God’s perfect plan for salvation. Who knows what his final thoughts were?
I applaud your sincere desire to want to witness to him. Obviously, God did not put him your path to do so. While I agree his demise may not be the American way, it sure is God of the Old Testament’s way. I am certainly not Gaddhafi’s judge nor did I have any desire for his end to be this way. Those who orchestrated it certainly are answerable to God. As for me, I feel no shame for being glad the world is rid of a evil, torturous, murderous man.
Report Post »tommee
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 4:34pmAnother triumph for the smart one – Obama!… and not one American was killed… and you guys didn’t think he had it in him. What excuses do you have now?
Report Post »Jesus Christ was a Proud Liberal
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 4:57pmMy brother, I forgive you your sins for using the Jewish flag as your avatar, Since it was your peoples ancestors who crucified me, Jesus, God of all Christians, I will forgive you your trespasses once. Only once. Now go forth and proclaim Obama’s victory forthright or else I shall forsake you and yours for eternity.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:08pmIn the words of a wise man. “Who gives a ****?”
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:11pmGadahfi always claimed Obama was Muslim and could prove it. Gadahfi also always referred to Obama as America’s first Muslim President. Is this why Obama had Gahahfi’s name at the top of his Kill List and who is next on his Kill List?
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:55pmLooks like a acute case of traumatic lead poisoning.
Report Post »Beckett
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:22amThey say he is dead.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:54amSo be it.
Report Post »hud
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 10:37amLived the life of a rat, and died like a rat.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 11:06amThe people he tortured & assassinated including the PAN AM passengers are waiting for him .
Report Post »Rot in hell & that’s all the dictators .
BlackAce41
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:24pmthey showed a photo you want DNA?
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:32pmAnother one found in a dark hole in the ground…how fitting for a man of darkness who knew no light.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:45pmThat was my first thought as well, CHIEF. Coward! You’d think he would be glad to die a martyr and go get his 72 virgins.
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:21amA tyrannt…but will will come in it’s place? How about it Occupy? What will you put in place of America’s system of government? Will it be tyrannical?
Report Post »dogpatch65
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:29amYou’re right to ask that question. Let the mayhem begin?
Report Post »http://markamerica.com/2011/10/20/occupy-wall-street-prologue-to-mayhem-in-2012/
Vechorik
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:43amIran – Israel – World War III – history – THERE CAN BE ANOTHER WAY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oFrM7Bxrgo
Report Post »Canyonman5555
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:53amThe Muslim BrotherHood will be the new ruling party, you know the group that wants to wipe Israel off the map.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:55amWhat’s coming will be worse. And that goes for all nations just not Libya.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:34pmThe right wing american media and zionist brainwashed politicians once again get the rug pulled out from under them. Until osama came along [a freedom fighter for his people]gaddafi was the iconic face of evil arabs . demonization of him was in fact anti-arab genocidal propaganda. That the people themselves rose up against him and are now jubilent that he is dead,defangs your 30yr. demonization of him. Trot out that muslim brotherhood boogey man -genocidists!. Welcome to the 21stc america -the century of the people-all people not regimes especially imperialist superpowers hijacked by zionist genocidists.God willing -the syrian regime is the next to go. You americans who support dictatorships for arabs are betraying you professed belief in universal human rights. To do that shows the power of zionist genocidists to indoctrinate you via media propaganda.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:02pmWe could send them Ron Paul…….the clear choice
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:21amWas he shot in the head “trying to escape” after he was shot in the legs? That would be appropriate.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:16amI couldn’t care less.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:24amYou should care. This guy is/was a HUGE financier of terrorism and if he lives, he’s gonna have an axe to grind with the U.S.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:43am@BS AH there it is, he finances terrorism, that’s our justification for this war… So should we knock off the king Saud next? His kingdom has financed more terrorist than Libya,Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:07amRabble
Prove your statement.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:35am@Rabble
No, we should never have gotten involved in the first place. Unfortunately your Dear Leader B.O. decided we STILL weren’t spending enough money and needed to be mired in yet another war. Also, the Libyan rebels are claiming credit for killing him, not us at all.
My response to the original comment was as to WHY this was news…
Hey, did you hear that Dear Leader has gotten us involved in YET ANOTHER WAR in Africa?
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 10:12amThis freak was as impotent as they come, in all senses of the word. I don’t care, sorry. I care about the fact our country is going down the drain; not about a senile has-been.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:11amI hope they didn’t mess up his pretty face!
Report Post »((GB)) FAN
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:18amthe next halloween mask.
Report Post »FEMALL
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:11amHe must have been on the Partial-Death hit List.
O=Contract on America
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:13amYep!
Report Post »wakeup1
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:06amWhy no pictures ? I’ll believe it when I see it. These so called “freedom fighters” have cell pictures of themselves throwing up gang signs? Whatever anyway its all B.S anyway. One turdbag leaves another takes its place.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:09amRead the headline to my husband and he said the same thing….one day all these guys will show up at a party, possibly headed by BHO himself.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:58amCheck Drudge, there is a picture.
Report Post »rabblechat
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:07amthe freedom fighter will probably turn out to be Americans…
Report Post »TxGold
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:04amYou can’t treat people the way he did forever, and not pay the price.
Report Post »jettson
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:03amLets bury him at sea
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:25amBefore anyone can identify the corpse, of course.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:30amI hear, that it’s muslim tradition.
Report Post »Sy Kosys
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 9:40amCurious to see how the oil markets react…$20 buck to Herman Cain’s campaign that the markets sharply rise due to “uncertainty over control of the oil fields” blah blah….
Report Post »jeff29910
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:01amNow they are reporting he is dead.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:49amDoes this mean we can pull out?
Report Post »Ialmostforgot
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:00amThis post is too slow! He be dead.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:02amYea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I hope the guys who killed him kill themselves. They are as bad as him.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:06am… that Gadaffy! What a wild and crazy guy, don’t ya think? Yeah, what a card …
Report Post »ff-up
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:00amMaybe both knee caps were blown out!! It would serve him right!!!! This is one down and how many to go?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:05am1.57 billion?
Report Post »JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:59amMoammar meet Sadam
Sadam meet Moammar
Moammar your first virgin is here enjoy
Bahaaaaaaa Bahaaaaaaaa
Report Post »sugarbaby07
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:22pmMust say “you nailed it!”
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:58amWonderful, another restructured government to join the caliphate! Let’s just put the Muslim Brotherhood in charge of the world, then we can all bow with Obama at the same time! I’m sure Hillary will want to give them more tax paying money as a thank you gift! Finally the thugs get to run the system! You only know what is next!
Report Post »MuddCatt007
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:54amWonder if they shot him in the leg’s cause it took so long to get him? Sounds funny!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:01amHope it was the middle leg….
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:52amYeah,,,,,,,,, Now what do they do with him??????? Yes one more victory for Obama…
Report Post »He has really turned into a mean SOB hasn’t he. I can’t believe the way the Liberals
talk about him with these kills or captures, you would think he put on his cape and
tights and flew over and fought all the bad guys and took him down himself. Instead
all he has to say is………Yes do it………. Boy I wish I were as brave as him…………
loriann12
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:11amYea can you imagine the nastiness that would be coming out of the liberals mouths if it was a Conservative who took them out? End war…wa wa wa.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:51am.
Report Post »How long before Obama say’s his policy captured Gadhafi? I can hear it now how great Obama’s Plan was…Darn I threw-up on my keyboard……….
JERSEYJUDE
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:41pmhahahaha!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:49amI’ve got a list of terrorists who could use the same treatment….*sigh*
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:53am.
Are any of them American?………
I love you KickaGrandma, you are so bad…..lol………
Report Post »jeff29910
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:48amFlawless? Victory?
Report Post »Worm…
welloddyfriggindah
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:53amIdiot…I’m not serious.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:10amWonder if the Mooslims will have Gadafi hanged (almost to the point of death), emasculated, disembowelled, beheaded and quartered (chopped into four pieces). Then they display the remains in prominent places across the country.
I mean that is the century that they think they live in…
Report Post »drdon6969
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:47amcan’t wait for obummer to take credit for this. then blame bush when it blows up in his face.
Report Post »MajorityLeft
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:34pmWow!! You really hate the troops huh!?? … alot of US Military training and effort went in to killing gadaffi the world class terrorist and murderer of dozens of Americans during the lockerby bombings..
I guess you’re just too partisan to give any credit to The President and The US Military….figures..your fox tv isn’t talking about it either.
Report Post »JERSEYJUDE
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:42pmThat’s the only thing Obama does well!
Report Post »greeneyes1982
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:43pmI find it amusing that all the trolls here are saying that Obama killed Gadhafi when EVERY story about this clearly states that NATO and the rebels are the ones who killed him. Sure the supposed American drone made him start to run BUT it was the NATO airstrike and the blood thirsty rebels that killed the dictator. NATO takes direction from the UN not Obama alone….and the rebels have been trying to kill him long before we got involved. I am just waiting to see if they try to use this to up Obamas poll numbers….it couldnt have happened at a more convenient time, just in time for the campaigns for elections to begin.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:47amWho cares?
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:57pmWho cares?When americans are calling the shots in the mid east the whole world has to come on board and do our bidding! When americans are not at the helm-it’s always who cares? The arrogance, and hubris of the religion of americanism!Long live the arab spring -who cares about the false narrative of american propaganda-the reality on the ground is trumping the narrative and actions of even the american superpower! Welcome to the peoples-all peoples- century. Down with american imperialism and their pompous jingoistic religion called americanism.And kudos to the occupied wall streeters who will dismantle this rabid rightwing american nationailsm.-the biggest threat to the people of the world.
Report Post »TPartyXpress
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:57pm@ RoseyAnus — And where would YOU like to be shot before being torn up and used as dog food?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:46amAfter seeing what happened to Sadam, why would you let yourself be captured alive? It proves a point that all these tough guy muslim leaders talk big but, are cowards at heart.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:01amTrue, what ever happened to Allah Akbar and the 70 little 12 year old virgins ? Not good enough for a king I guess…lol Beside aren’t they supposed to save one bullet for when the time comes and the Americans are knocking on the door ?
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:42amFlawless!!
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:54amDid you get another face lift?
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:41amAnother Obama victory!!!
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:46amYou are right. Another Obama and radical Islamic victory. Now Obama can be sure to install Al Qaeda as the new government in Libya, just like he installed the Muslim Brotherhood as the new leaders of Egypt. The Christians and Jews can rest assured that their churches and synagogues will be safe under Al Qaeda rule.
Thanks Obama for getting Congressional approval for this war by the way.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:49amWouldn’t victory depend on what comes after Gadhafi?
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 7:52amIt’ll be his victory until something else goes wrong.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:18amreparations is the Obama way of managing and facilitating this mess. Now they get a nation from which they can really build up a serious army, and they control oil to EU.
Report Post »