On October 20, 2011 Libya’s deposed dictator, Muammar Gaddafi was captured by rebel soldiers and killed in his birthplace of Sirte.

As word spread of the despot's demise, many Libyans celebrated on the streets the end of a four-decade dictatorship.

In the moments before his death, new regime fighters found Gaddafi in a drain under a motorway, where he had been hiding with a small group of bodyguards. It has been reported a NATO airstrike hit a convoy he was travelling in, forcing him to flee to the hideout.

There is widespread speculation he was dragged to the surface then beaten, mocked and abused by his captors before they executed him and celebrated beside his dead body.

Appearing to back up this claim, harrowing mobile phone footage of his final bloody moments was broadcast around the world showing a bullet hole in the side of his head.

In other claims, National Transitional Council (NTC) leaders say he was shot in the head when he was caught "in crossfire" between his supporters and new regime fighters.

The commander of forces who captured Gaddafi said it was impossible to tell who had fired the fatal bullet, as the gunfire was rapid and from multiple directions.

While decisions were made over an appropriate burial, his decomposing body was stored in a Misrata meat locker – causing controversy even in death.

Photographs emerged of the body lying on a mattress in the cold storage plant, formerly used for meat and other produce.

After much debate over his burial, he was reportedly buried in a secret ceremony with full Muslim traditions – including washing the deceased body within 24 hours. The location of the dictator’s grave was kept under wraps, due to fears it could become a shrine for the Libyan minority who supported him.

The capture and shooting of Gaddafi signalled the end of months of bitter civil war.

NATO had carried out a seven-month campaign of air strikes under a UN mandate authorising the use of force to protect civilians.

Gaddafi, who came to power in a coup in 1969, was toppled in August after the Arab Spring reached Libya in February. He was making his last stand in Sirte alongside two of his sons, Mutassim and Saif al-Islam, according to reports.

On 23 October, 2011, two days after the death of Gaddafi, the NTC declared Libya's complete liberation, clearing the way for elections.

The crowd erupted in a mix of joy and relief as Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, the deputy head of the National Transitional Council, said the magic words:

"Raise your head high. You are a free Libyan."

Although, the interim government faces a huge challenge - to rebuild the country's shattered infrastructure, disarm thousands of Libyans who have taken part in the war, and attempt to reunite the country – most believe springtime is just around the corner.