ADDIS ABABA - The African Union (AU) said on Thursday that they would check the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

The move came after the reports that Gadhafi has been captured or killed by Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC).

AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra told reporters "We will check it, there are a number of press dispatches, even the one that stated he may have been killed; so let us find out from the authority incumbent."

Lamamra added that the AU has lifted the sanction imposed on Libya at its meeting today, which banned Libyan representatives from participating in the activities at the AU,

He said: "Today, the decision which was passed on the 26th of August to suspend the participation of Libyan representatives in the activities of the AU has been lifted; therefore the current authorities, ?that is the NTC, are invited to take the seat of Libya at the AU, effective as of today."

Asked about the possible response from the NTC to the call by the AU, the Commissioner said: "I am sure that they would resume normal work with the AU; they belong here."