According to online reports, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has died of wounds inflicted by NATO forces in his hometown of Sirte, Libya, where he was hiding out this morning . He was 69.
Gaddafi once famously praised U.S. President Barack Obama for being a fellow Muslim, and he adored Condoleezza Rice, calling her a “darling black African woman.”
In 1969, Gaddafi, a lieutenant in the Libyan army, seized power in a military coup. Gaddafi abolished Libya’s Constitution and imposed socialist laws based on his own ideologies. Gaddafi and his family controlled the Libyan economy, eventually giving Libya the highest GDP per capita in Africa.
He held power for 41 years making him the fourth longest-ruling non-royal leader, as well as the longest-running Arab leader.
In February 2011, the Libyan people began protesting the Gaddafi government. Gaddafi responded violently to the uprising, killing scores of men, women and children.
Amid defections by some of Gaddafi’s government officials, the UN referred Gaddafi to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, citing the massacre of innocent human beings in Libya.
On June 27, 2011 the ICC issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his family and his head of security. Among the crimes being investigated by the prosecution was whether Gaddafi purchased and authorized the use of Viagra-like drugs among soldiers for the purpose of raping women and instilling fear.
NATO forces, with the exception of China, Russia and Germany, began bombing Gaddafi’s forces and eventually took control of Tripoli, throwing Gaddafi out of power. During a search of Gaddafi’s compound on August 24, 2011, a photo album was found filled with pictures of former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, whom Gaddafi was smitten with.
In a 2007 television interview, Gaddafi had previously praised Rice, saying “I support my darling black African woman. I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders… Leezza, Leezza, Leezza… I love her very much.”
Having lost control of Tripoli, Gaddafi fled to his hometown of Sirte where sympathetic rebel forces protected him.
Early this morning (Oct. 20), Gaddafi was captured near Sirte as he tried to flee in a convoy which NATO warplanes attacked. As Libyan rebel forces opened fire on the convoy, he was reportedly shot in both legs, according to National Transitional Council official Abdel Majid Mlegta.
Miegta told Reuters earlier that Gaddafi “was also hit in his head.”
“There was a lot of firing against his group and he died,” the official told REUTERS.
A soldier who claimed he personally captured Gaddafi, said the wounded Colonel shouted, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” after he was discovered hiding in a hole in District 2 in Sirte.
The soldier reportedly took possession of Gaddafi golden pistol as a souvenir.
