Libya plans secret burial for Muammar Gaddafi

Libyan authorities are planning a secret burial for ousted leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi following his capture and death, the BBC understands.

However, it appears there may be a delay in his burial, which under Islamic tradition should take place as soon as possible.

Oil minister Ali Tarhouni told Reuters that Col Gaddafi’s body may be kept « for a few days ».

Nato is expected to declare an end to its Libya campaign in the coming hours.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the death of Col Gaddafi meant Nato’s military intervention in Libya had reached its conclusion.

« Clearly the operation is coming to its end, » he told reporters.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the Nato operation would end « subject to a few transitory measures in the week to come ».

Questions mounting

The BBC’s Caroline Hawley in Tripoli says the authorities now have to decide how to deal with Col Gaddafi’s death and in particular his burial.

They have said they will conduct a secret burial and there is some speculation that they might even try to bury him at sea, as al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was buried, to prevent any grave being turned into a shrine, she adds

Mr Tarhouni told Reuters that Col Gaddafi’s body – currently in Misrata – was not going to be released for burial immediately.

« I told them to keep it in the freezer for a few days… to make sure that everybody knows he is dead, » he said.

Asked about the burial arrangements, he said: « There is no decision yet. »

Reuters also quoted an unnamed official as saying there was disagreement within the National Transitional Council (NTC) over what to do with the body.

Meanwhile, questions are mounting as to exactly what happened in Col Gaddafi’s last moments following his capture.

Officials have denied he was executed.
As reports of Col Muammar Gaddafi’s death spread thousands of people took to the streets across Libya
Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said Col Gaddafi had been shot in the head in an exchange of fire between Gaddafi loyalists and NTC fighters following his capture in his hometown of Sirte

Video footage suggests he was dragged through the streets.

An NTC fighter told the BBC he found the former Libyan leader hiding in a drainage pipe and he had begged him not to shoot.

The fighter showed reporters a golden pistol he said he had taken from Col Gaddafi.

Call for inquiry
Senior NTC member Mohammed Sayeh told the BBC he doubted that the colonel was deliberately killed, but added: « Even if he was killed intentionally, I think he deserves this. »

He added: « If they kill him 1,000 times, I think it will not pay back the Libyans what he has done. We’ve lost over 70,000 of our best men because of this monster. »

On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said there should be a full investigation into the way Col Gaddafi was killed.

Navi Pillay’s spokesman, Rupert Colville, said mobile phone images showing the former Libyan leader alive when first captured, and then dead, were « very disturbing ».

UK-based human rights group Amnesty International called for « a full, independent and impartial inquiry » into the circumstances of Col Gaddafi’s death.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally and friend of the colonel, called his death deplorable.

« They murdered him, » Mr Chavez told reporters.

However, our correspondents say few Libyans are worried about the manner of their former dictator’s humiliating end. They are simply elated that he is gone.

Despite the controversy, celebrations continued late into the night in towns and cities across Libya.

Groups of young men fired guns in the air, and drivers honked their horns in jubilation.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, said Col Gaddafi’s death marked the start of a new era for the Libyan people.

The NTC is expected to formally announce the liberation of the country on Saturday in the eastern town of Benghazi.

Jim Swire: « I think it would have been much better if he could have been kept alive »
Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that with the death of Col Gaddafi, an end to the alliance’s involvement in the country « has now moved much closer ».

« After 42 years, Gaddafi’s rule of fear has finally come to an end, » he said. « I call on all Libyans to put aside their differences and work together to build a brighter future. »

Nato’s seven-month campaign of air strikes was carried out under a UN mandate authorising the use of force to protect civilians in Libya.

Nato has carried out some 26,000 sorties and almost 10,000 strike missions.

Col Gaddafi, who came to power in a coup in 1969, was toppled from power in August. He was making his last stand in Sirte alongside two of his sons, Mutassim and Saif al-Islam, according to reports.

A body that officials identified as that of Mutassim has been shown on Libyan TV.

There are conflicting reports as to the whereabouts of Saif al-Islam.

On Friday he was reported to be fleeing south towards Niger, according to a senior NTC commander.

Abdul Majid Mlegta told Reuters that Saif al-Islam was believed to be in a convoy of three armoured vehicles trying to escape NTC forces that overran Sirte on Thursday.

« We are searching for him. The fighters in the region are on full alert, » Mr Mlegta said.

Earlier, acting Justice Minister Mohammad al-Alagi told AP news agency that Saif al-Islam had been captured and taken to hospital with a leg wound.

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