Col. Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s ousted dictator was killed on Thursday, October 20, 2011 following his capture by troops from the National Transitional Council in his hometown of Sirte. Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril confirmed the report of his capture and eventual death at a news conference.
Gaddafi’s death ended 42 years and 49 days of his rule in Libya, where he supported radical groups, amassed chemical weapons and missiles, started wars, and orchestrated atrocities. He was one of the longest ruling non-royal leader in the world and the longest ruling Arab leader. He came to power in a bloodless coup at the age of 27 in 1969.
Born to a Bedouin Family in Sirte in 1942, Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi attended a Muslim elementary school far from his home. He was exposed to the events in the Arab world in the aftermath of World War II and these events influenced him profoundly, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser was his hero and he took part in anti-Israeli protests during the Suez War between Great Britain, Israel, and France against Egypt in 1956…
by Yetunde Adurota, contributing editor Trendy Africa Media
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