Update: Gadaffi Killed During Capture In Sirte

Muammar Gaddafi has been killed during an operation by rebel forces in Sirte, it has been confirmed.

Abdul Hakim Belhaj, an NTC military chief, said Gaddafi had died of his wounds after being captured near Sirte on Thursday.

Mobile phone footage showing graphic images that appear to be Gadaffi's bloodied body are circulating on the internet.

Reuter, the Associated Press, Aljazeera and the Guardian are claiming they can confirm the Colonel's death.

Earlier on Thursday, a senior commander in Libya's transitional authorities said they captured the former Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Abdel Majid told Reuters: "He's captured. He's wounded in both legs ... He's been taken away by ambulance."

Mr Majid suggested Gadaffi was taken from a convoy near Sirte as he attempted to flee.

Earlier today, they took control of the final stronghold of the last group of Gaddafi's loyalists - in his hometown of Sirte.

However, National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters said they were still battling pockets of resistance in that district of the city, but they were in overall control and that it will today officially declare Libya liberated when Sirte falls.

The NTC have met strong resistance in Sirte, east of the capital, Tripoli, on the Mediterranean coast with most residents fleeing Sirte after a month of fierce battles.

Revolutionary forces have fought Gaddafi loyalists street by street, cornering the last vestiges of the old regime to that last district.

(BMcC)