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Canadian rebel fighter killed in Libya
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The Associated Press- A Canadian man is among the rebel dead in Libya, killed fighting the forces of Moammar Gadhafi.
The man has been identified as Edmonton-born Nader Ben Raween, a 24-year-old information technology worker. Ben Raween is said to have left his job in Ottawa in March to join the Libyan rebels.
A friend told CBC that Ben Raween left Canada when he was five years old and returned to this country in 2008.
Abdurrahman Ghariba of Gatineau, Que., said he received a phone call from a friend in Libya saying Ben Raween, their mutual friend, had died.
Ghariba said the last time he spoke to Ben Raween was on Aug. 19 by phone. At the time, Ben Raween said, "Libya will be free soon," according to Ghariba.
Ben Raween is believed to have been shot and killed Tuesday in Tripoli.
Citing privacy reasons, the Canadian government offered little comment on the death on Thursday.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is aware of reports of the death of a Canadian citizen in Tripoli," a spokeswoman told CBC. "We can neither confirm nor deny these reports at this time."
Also on Thursday, the Arab League says it will give the Libya's rebel group, the National Transitional Council, a permanent seat, according to a report.
The group has recognized the NTC as Libya's legitimate representative, Reuters reported.
"We agreed that it is time for Libya to take back its legitimate seat and place at the Arab League," Secretary General Nabil Elaraby told reporters.
The diplomatic move came as the search for Gadhafi continued.
Rebels stormed Gadhafi's massive compound in Tripoli two days ago, and it is believed the man who ruled Libya for more than four decades may be holed up in a safe house in the capital or he may have fled to more friendly ground.
Liam Fox, the United Kingdom's defence secretary, said NATO is involved in the hunt for Gadhafi. He said NATO is "providing intelligence and reconnaissance assets to help in the hunt."
In Tripoli's newly renamed Martyr's Square, young rebel soldiers gathered to celebrate. They fired their guns into the air and tore up posters of Gadhafi.
"He's a coward. He's in a hole. He's hidden in a hole," Mohammad Bakir told CBC's Derek Stoffel. "We're celebrating. All Libya is celebrating now."
Journalists freed
The Italian daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, said four Italian journalists kidnapped in Libya have been freed. The paper said the four were freed in a raid on a Tripoli house where they were been held.
The four journalists were abducted Wednesday by Gadhafi loyalists. The Libyan driver for the journalists was killed.
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