R.I.Paradise

Col. Moammar Gaddafi, Libya’s leader for more than 40 years, who brought his oil-rich country to international pariah status, tried to restore it as a member in good standing in the global community and was ultimately deposed by a nationwide uprising, died Thursday in Sirte, his hometown. His death was confirmed Thursday by Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril.

Col. Gaddafi had been in hiding since August 23, when he fled his home in Tripoli as rebel fighters advanced. Fighting continued for two months, as pockets of his supporters put up fierce resistance in a few holdout towns, leading to speculation that he might be holed up in one of them. He was believed to be 69 years old when he died, although his exact birthdate was not known, and at his death, was one of the world’s longest-serving rulers.