Libya buries Gaddafi in unmarked grave
The body of former Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi has been buried
in an unmarked grave in an undisclosed location to prevent it becoming a
shrine for loyalists or a target for his opponents.
Transcript
ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: The body of former Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi has been buried.The ceremony was carried out overnight in an undisclosed location to prevent it becoming a shrine for Gaddafi loyalists or a target for his opponents.
The National Transitional Council has also announced it will investigate how Gaddafi and one of his sons were killed, after footage showed they were both alive after they were captured.
Middle East correspondent Anne Barker reports.
ANNE BARKER, REPORTER: After lying in a freezer on public display for four days, the decomposing bodies of Moamar Gaddafi, his son, and a former aide were taken away under cover of darkness.
Just hours ago, before dawn, they were buried in a secret location somewhere in the desert.
Such is the sensitivity of what happens to Gaddafi's remains that the burial was witnessed by only four people, who've sworn never to reveal the grave's whereabouts.
MAHMOUD SHAMMAM, LIBYAN MINISTER FOR INFORMATION (translated): There is a fatwa that's been issued by the head of the Fatwa Council concerning the burial place of this body. I cannot say exactly what the content of the fatwa is, but it says that his body should not be buried in Muslim ceremonies, and should not be buried in a known place to avoid any sedition.
ANNE BARKER: The head of the National Transitional Council also says a committee has been formed to investigate the manner of Gaddafi's death. The United Nations and human rights groups have raised concerns that Gaddafi may have been executed while being held captive.
FRED ABRAHAMS, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: I think an investigation into Gaddafi's death is critical. It sends message that Libyans can take justice into their own hands. And it's not just about Gaddafi but about all the people who collaborate and have blood on their hands from 42 years, and you don't want to send the message that even the local neighbourhood spy can be treated in this way.
ANNE BARKER: But it appears it's not only Gaddafi collaborators who may have blood on their hands. Human Rights Watch says it's discovered 53 decomposing bodies at an abandoned hotel in Sirte. The victims all had their hands tied and had been shot.
FRED ABRAHAMS: This appears to be the execution of 53 people who were in the custody of anti-Gaddafi forces. We need an investigation. We don't know all the details. But the evidence is pointing quite clearly in that direction.
ANNE BARKER: It's this type of possible revenge killing that concerns officials, particularly with the country so awash with weapons.
FRED ABRAHAMS: The National Transitional Council has said all the right things about revenge and human rights. But they can't implement those goals on the ground because so many various armed groups have come into being. And it appears that some of these armed groups were responsible for the executions that we found in the Sirte hotel.
ANNE BARKER: The Transitional Council says it's aware of the potential problem, and it's proceeding carefully.
FATOORI MAGHREBI, NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL GENERAL (translated): We don't have a national army in Libya. During the tyrant's regime, there were security brigades which were serving only the regime. So with the regime, law and order also fell.
So there is a void. Today this void is being filled by the rebels. And they are preserving security throughout Libya. Therefore, the handing over of their weapons will happen gradually. First, the official security bodies will need to be built up, while these groups gradually disappear.
ANNE BARKER: But with so many other pressing challenges to deal with, bringing anyone to account for Gaddafi's death or the latest massacre appears a distant prospect indeed.
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