Pro-Gadhafi TV denies strongman dead or captured

TRIPOLI—A pro-Gadhafi television website denied Thursday reports that the strongman had been killed or captured.

“The reports peddled by the lackeys of NATO about the capture or death of the brother leader, Moammar Gadhafi, are baseless,” said Al-Libiya television.

Gadhafi “is in good health,” it added.

Reports Gadhafi was killed or captured “are nothing but rumors.”

“It is not the first time they resort to this kind of disinformation,” the report said.

Earlier National Transitional Council commander Mohammed Leith told AFP that Gadhafi was captured Thursday as his hometown Sirte was falling, adding that the ousted strongman was badly wounded.

Libyan TV channel “Libya lil Ahrar” also said that Gadhafi was in custody, along with his son Mutassim and other top aides.

NTC officials have repeatedly reported the arrest of Mutassim Gadhafi, who headed national security, in recent weeks only later to backtrack on the reports.