Obama urges Libya to start reconciliation process
October 24th, 2011 - 3:54 am ICT by IANS
Washington, Oct 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama has hailed the declaration of liberation in Libya as the “beginning of a new era of promise”, and urged the country to start the reconciliation process, according to a White House statement.
“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Libya on today’s (Sunday’s) historic declaration of liberation. After four decades of brutal dictatorship and eight months of deadly conflict, the Libyan people can now celebrate their freedom and the beginning of a new era of promise,” Xinhua quoted Obama as saying in the statement.
He urged the Libyan authorities to live up to their commitments to “respect human rights, begin a national reconciliation process, secure weapons and dangerous materials, and bring together armed groups under a unified civilian leadership”.
“Now that the fighting in Libya has reached an end, the National Transitional Council (NTC) must turn its attention to the political transition ahead,” he said.
He said the US looks forward to working with the new Libyan government as the transitional authorities prepare for the country’ s first free and fair elections.
“As they take these steps, the US will continue our close cooperation with our international partners and the UN Support Mission in Libya to help advance a stable, democratic transition,” Obama said.
NTC Vice Chairman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga Sunday officially announced the liberation of Libya from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi at a ceremony held in Benghazi.
- New rulers declare Libya officially liberated - Oct 24, 2011
- Rebels tighten grip on Tripoli, capture Gaddafi's sons - Aug 22, 2011
- Libyan liberation a great victory: NATO chief - Oct 24, 2011
- Deputy head of Libyan NTC resigns after protests - Jan 23, 2012
- Canada welcomes new Libya - Oct 24, 2011
- Rebels legitimate representatives of Libyan people: Germany - Jun 13, 2011
- Libya elects Abdurrahim El-Keib as interim Prime Minister - Nov 01, 2011
- Gaddafi's rule in Libya has come to an end: Obama - Aug 22, 2011
- Libyan rebels' military chief killed - Jul 29, 2011
- Libyan rebels to move headquarters to Tripoli - Aug 24, 2011
- Libya to form interim government in 8 months - Oct 22, 2011
- Libyan opposition forms national council - Feb 28, 2011
- Libya to be ruled by Islamic law: NTC - Oct 24, 2011
- UN chief calls on Gaddafi's forces to stop fighting - Aug 23, 2011
- Libyan rebels seek financial help from Spain - Jul 22, 2011
Tags: barack obama, brutal dictatorship, civilian leadership, dangerous materials, deadly conflict, democratic transition, eight months, hafiz, international partners, liberation, libya, libyan authorities, libyan government, muammar gaddafi, national reconciliation, national transitional council, new era, political transition, vice chairman, xinhua