Longtime Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi is dead and gruesome images of his killing have been shown by the media worldwide. His death has sparked a jubilant reaction among anti-Gaddafi Libyans and has been welcomed by world leaders.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the day of Gaddafi’s death marks a historic transition for Libya.
“All Libyans must be able to recognize themselves in the nation’s government and leadership. The high hopes sustained through the long days of revolution and conflict must translate into opportunities and justice for all.”
US President Barack Obama said that “this is a momentous day in the history of Libya.”
In a speech given in front of the White House, he said “the dark shadow of the tyranny has been lifted” in Libya and a “long and winding road to democracy” is ahead for it. “You have won your revolution,” he told the people of Libya.
Libya’s Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said that following the death of the colonel it is time for Libyans to launch a new, united Libya.
According to Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, “now the war is over.”
European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, said in a statement that the death of Muammar Gaddafi marks the “end of the era of despotism.” The French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, said “France is proud to have helped the Libyan people to recover their freedom.”
British PM David Cameron pointed out that it is a day to remember all of Colonel Gaddafi’s victims.
“From those who died in connection with the Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, to Yvonne Fletcher in a London street, and obviously all the victims of IRA terrorism who died through their use of Libyan semtex,” he added.
“We should also remember the many, many Libyans who died at the hands of this brutal dictator and his regime. People in Libya today have an even greater chance, after this news, of building themselves a strong and democratic future.”
The Vatican has announced that it considers Libya’s NTC the legitimate rulers of Libya following the death of the fugitive strongman. The Holy See said in an official statement that Gaddafi’s death ended a “long and tragic” fight to crush a “cruel and oppressive regime.”