Head of Libya's interim ruling National Transitional Council Moustafa Abdul Jalil is due to address the Libyan public, reports Free Libya TV station.

Reports from NTC officials saying Muammar Gaddafi is captured and dead are yet to be confirmed by a public statement from the council.

Earlier, a National Transitional Council commander had said that Gaddafi was captured as his hometown of Sirte was falling on Thursday, adding that the ousted Libyan strongman was badly wounded.

"He has been captured. He is badly wounded, but he is still breathing," Mohamed Leith, a National Transitional Council commander, had told AFP, adding that he had seen Gaddafi himself and that he was wearing a kaki uniform and a turban.

"He's captured. He's wounded in both legs. He's been taken away by ambulance," the senior NTC military official had told Reuters by telephone

Libyan TV channel "Libya lil Ahrar" also said that Gaddafi was in custody.

NTC officials also said Moussa Ibrahim, former spokesman for Gaddafi's fallen government, was captured near the city of Sirte on Thursday.

An NTC commander also reported seeing the dead body of Gaddafi's chief of armed forces, Abu Bakr Younus Jabr.

The US government said Thursday that it was unable to substantiate reports that Gaddafi has been captured or killed.

"The State Department cannot at this time confirm media reports on the capture or killing of Muammar Gaddafi," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement. Senior administration and Pentagon officials said they were working to verify the reports.

NATO also said  it was checking reports of the capture of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and said it could take some time to confirm.

"We are checking and assessing the situation," a NATO official said. "Clearly these are very significant developments, which will take time to confirm. If it is true, then this is truly a historic day for the people of Libya."