US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was left stunned after she learnt of Moammer Gaddafi's death
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was left stunned after she learnt of Moammer Gaddafi's death
ADVERTISEMENT
Clinton was preparing for interviews in Kabul, Afghanistan, when top aide Huma Abedin handed her a BlackBerry with the first news of Moammer Gaddafi's capture.
Libyan women wave their new flag during celebrations in the
streets of Tripoli following news of Moammer Gaddafi's
capture and death
"Wow," the US secretary of state exclaimed. "Unconfirmed reports about Gaddafi being captured."
As others hovered around her, she reminded them the report is not yet confirmed, saying, "We've had a bunch of those before. We've had him captured a couple of times."
In Washington, US President Barack Obama said the rule of an 'iron fist' in Libya has come to an end.
At a press conference yesterday Obama said, "The dictator is no more."
US Secretary of State is shocked as she reads the
report on her BlackBerry
He added, "This is a momentous day in the history of Libya as a dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted. Now the people of Libya have a great responsibility."
Burial delayed
Meanwhile, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that Gaddafi's death needed to be investigated.
"More details are needed to ascertain whether he was killed in the fighting or after his capture," the agency said.
"There seem to be four or five different versions of how he died." Also, Libya's government has his burial amid uncertainty about his final resting place and the circumstances of his killing.
Oil minister Ali Tarhouni said the body of the ex-leader will be kept in a meat locker "for a few days".
'Gaddafi was weird'
Gaddafi had a "slightly eerie obsession" with Condoleezza Rice, describing her as his "African princess", the former US secretary of state said in an excerpt from her published memoirs. Rice said she had been warned to ignore the Libyan leader's "crazy" behaviour.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
