Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is officially dead. The overthrowing of the Libyan dictator has been well chronicled in the media over the past couple of months, as those of you with Newsweek magazine subscriptions will know, but it is thought to be nearly over now.
The announcement was made yesterday by Acting Prime Minister of Libya, Mahmoud Jibril. Gaddafi had been captured by soldiers who discovered him hiding underground.
Although Gaddafi was taken alive, he was shot in the head during a crossfire between Gaddafi’s soldiers and fighters from the transitional authorities, though it is not clear which side the bullet was fired from. He died on his way to the hospital and his body is now said to be being held at Misratah.
Islamic tradition requires that the body is buried as soon as possible – usually within 24 hours, however it’s being reported that the body will be held for a few days. The reason for the hold-up is currently unclear but the Libyan authorities are thought to be planning a secret burial of Gaddafi’s body.
"This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya who now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya," said Barack Obama on hearing the news.
Whilst David Cameron, in a statement outside 10 Downing Street, asked us all to remember all of Gaddafi’s victims. He added: "People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future. I am proud of the role that Britain has played in helping them to bring that about and I pay tribute to the bravery of the Libyans who helped to liberate their country. We will help them, we will work with them and that is what I want to say today."
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Posted by Donnie Bachan.