The key facts
- The uprising against Gaddafi began on 15 February 2011 in Tripoli and escalated into a civil war; on 22 August the rebels, with NATO support, took the capital.
- Gaddafi took refuge in Sirte, refused to leave Libya, citing an International Criminal Court warrant.
- According to National Transitional Council member Muhammad Sayeh, Gaddafi was wounded in the leg and died from a bullet to the head during a shootout on the way from Sirte to Misrata — «it was not done intentionally».
How the end of the regime began
Protests against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in the Libyan capital Tripoli began on 15 February 2011 and escalated into a civil war. Gaddafi ordered the bombing of cities captured by the rebels. The Western coalition, in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution, decided to launch a military operation against the colonel's regime. On 22 August 2011 the rebels, with NATO support, took Tripoli, and Gaddafi was forced to flee the capital.
The last refuge in Sirte
In October 2011 Gaddafi, together with his last supporters, fled to Sirte — his native city in northern Libya. According to accounts of those close to him, only the most loyal people remained beside the man who had once held unlimited power in the country. NATO aircraft, together with the rebels, practically wiped the city off the face of the earth — no intact buildings remained in it. Gaddafi constantly changed his hiding places and ate whatever could be found.
Refusal to flee the country
Head of Gaddafi's personal guard Mansour Daou recalled that he understood it was all over. According to him, Gaddafi said: «The International Criminal Court is looking for me. No country will accept me. It is better to die at the hands of Libyans». Security service officer Mansour Idhu clarified that Gaddafi told those around him that anyone who was afraid could leave, but that he himself had an International Criminal Court warrant, and he did not want to flee to neighboring countries and put them in an awkward position.
Circumstances of death
Member of Libya's National Transitional Council Muhammad Sayeh stated the day after Gaddafi's death that he had been captured and wounded in the leg, and was being taken from Sirte to Misrata, where intense shooting was underway in the area. As a result, a bullet hit him in the head, and he died. According to Sayeh, «it was not done intentionally».
