minutes of moammar gadhafi's life. libya's rebel government said the former dictator was cornered by insurgents in his hometown of sirte and shot and killed. word of his death triggered jubilant celebrations in the streets of tripoli. >> reporter: and caution at the white house. >> we are under no illusions. libya will travel a long, winding road to full democracy. there will be difficult days ahead. >> reporter: gadhafi seized power in libya in 1969 and soon became one of the world's most fervent anti-americans. a ruthless dictator at home, gadhafi funneled oil revenues to terrorists. his agents targeted a berlin disco popular with american soldiers. president reagan ordered an air strike on gadhafi's compound. two years later, gadhafi retaliated by blowing up pan am flight 103 over lockerbie, scotland. 190 americans were among those killed.