TRIPOLI, Libya, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The ruling party in Libya said it was in a period of mourning after the rebel leader tied to the capture of Moammar Gadhafi died after a kidnapping.
Gadhafi died in October after falling into rebel hands. Omran Bin Shaaban, a rebel leader credited with capturing Gadhafi, died after he was kidnapped and allegedly tortured by Gadhafi supporters, the BBC reports.
The interim Transitional National Council that took control after Gadhafi's regime collapsed handed authority to members of the newly elected congress in early August. The 200-member assembly was elected in July in the first democratic vote in Libya in about 40 years.
Tribal clashes and administrative disputes have lingered in Libya since NATO-led intervention and civil war ended with Gadhafi's death. Insurgents in mid-September attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, killing U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three embassy staff members.
More than 10,000 people turned out to mourn Shaaban. The ruling General National Congress was quoted by the BBC as saying the nation was morning the "loss of a brave hero."
