Qaddafi Reportedly Died of Wounds Sustained Before Capture

End of an Era in Libya: Qaddafi Dead

Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi was confirmed dead on Thursday, captured near his hometown of Sirte. Here is a look back at how the "king of kings of Africa" came to an end. WARNING: Some images are graphic. 

Libyan Deputy U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi says ousted leader Muammar Qaddafi was not killed by a Libyan government soldier, according to Reuters.

Dabbashi told the U.N. Security council Wednesday that Qaddafi died from wounds sustained before he was captured by Libyan fighters.

"Qaddafi was injured in the course of the clashes between his loyalists and the revolutionaries,"Dabbashi said. "When he was arrested, he was bleeding from his abdomen and head and he passed away (upon) his arrival to the hospital in Misrata."

"According to initial reports, none of the revolutionaries fired at him after arresting him," he said.

He added that the Libyans were conducting an investigation.

A Misrata military council official said Muammar Qaddafi, his son Muatassim and a top aide were buried at dawn Tuesday in a secret location, with a few relatives and officials in attendance.

In a text message shown to The Associated Press, spokesman Ibrahim Beitalmal said Islamic prayers were read over the bodies. The information could not be independently verified.

The bodies of Qaddafi, his son Muatassim and former Defense Minister Abu Bakr Younis had been held in cold storage in the port city of Misrata since the dictator and members of his entourage were captured near his hometown of Sirte on Thursday. Qaddafi and Muatassim were captured alive, with some injuries, but died in unclear circumstances later that day.

Libya's interim leaders have promised an investigation, responding to mounting international pressure.

On Monday, Beitalmal had said the three would be buried in unmarked graves in a secret location to prevent vandalism. Presumably, the graves would also be kept hidden to avoid turning them into shrines for Qaddafi loyalists.

International organizations asking to see the burial site would be given access, Beitalmal said.

Over the weekend, Libya's chief pathologist, Dr. Othman el-Zentani performed autopsies on the three bodies and also took DNA samples to confirm their identities. El-Zentani has said Qaddafi died from a shot to the head, and said the full report would be released later this week, after he presents his findings to the attorney general.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.