Muammar Gaddafi was captured as his hometown of Sirte was falling on Thursday, a National Transitional Council commander said, adding that the ousted Libyan strongman was badly wounded.
"He has been captured. He is badly wounded, but he is still breathing," Mohamed Leith said, adding that he had seen Gaddafi himself and that he was wearing a kaki uniform and a turban.
Libyan TV channel 'Libya lil Ahrar' also said that he was in custody.
In Sirte, medics said the defence minister in Gaddafi's ousted regime, Abu Bakr Yunis, had been killed in the final battle for the strongman's hometown.
His body was identified at the field hospital where it was brought in a pick-up truck on Thursday, Dr. Abdu Rauf said.
NTC fighter have also claimed full victory in Sirte — a major town that has been offering resistance.
"Sirte has been liberated. There are no Gaddafi forces any more," said Colonel Yunus Al Abdali, head of operations in the eastern half of the city.
"We are now chasing his fighters who are trying to run away."
Another front line commander confirmed the capture of the Mediterranean coastal city, which was the last remaining significant bastion of pro-Gaddafi fighters almost three months after the ex-leader was overthrown by rebels.