Libyan forces 'captured Gaddafi'

20 October 2011 11:28 am

The news came after transitional forces claimed control of Sirte, Col Gaddafi's birthplace. There was no independent confirmation of his capture. Col Gaddafi came to power in Libya in 1969. He was toppled in an uprising that began in February.

The International Criminal Court is seeking his arrest.

"He's captured. He's wounded in both legs," National Transitional Council (NTC) official Abdel Majid told Reuters news agency.

"He's been taken away by ambulance."

AFP news agency quoted another NTC official, Mohamed Leith, as saying that Col Gaddafi had been captured in Sirte and was "seriously wounded" but still breathing.

The BBC's Caroline Hawley in Tripoli says although the reports of the capture are unconfirmed, ships and cars have been sounding their horns in the capital and guns are being fired in celebration. (BBC)