Thursday, October 20, 2011

Libya: EU calls for broad-based reconciliation

The European Union urged Libya's interim rulers to push for a broad-based reconciliation in the country following the death of deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The president of EU council of member states, Herman van Rompuy, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said dialogue between all elements of Libyan society was needed for a successful transition to democracy.

"The reported death of Muammar Gaddafi marks the end of an era of despotism and repression from which the Libyan people have suffered for too long," they said in a statement.

"We call on the National Transitional Council to pursue a broad based reconciliation process which reaches out to all Libyans and enables a democratic, peaceful and transparent transition," they said.

Several NTC officials said Gaddafi was killed during a fight for his hometown in Sirte on Thursday. But Western powers, who have backed the rebellion which took the capital Tripoli two months ago, said they were still seeking confirmation.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi held out the promise of a better future for the people he ruled for four decades.

"People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future," he said in a statement in Downing Street.