Obama hails Libya's liberation
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 October 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Obama hails Libya's liberation, 24 October 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4ec504032b.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 24, 2011
U.S. President Barack Obama says Libya's announced liberation offers "a new era of promise" to the African nation.
U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed the declaration of freedom in Libya, saying "a new era of promise" has begun in the African nation.
In a statement issued by the White House, Obama congratulated the Libyan people and said, "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."
Obama also urged its interim leaders to now focus on the political transition ahead.
The leader of Libya's transitional government, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, declared the country liberated on October 23, three days after the capture and death of dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Libya's formal declaration of liberation as a "historical juncture" after decades of dictatorship.
In a statement, Ban stressed UN support for the ruling National Transitional Council's (NTC) moves to form an interim government and hold elections.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she supported calls for an investigation into Qaddafi's death as part of Libya's transition from dictatorship to democracy.
Clinton told U.S. TV that she supports a proposal for the United Nations to probe Qaddafi's death and for the NTC to look into the circumstances.
Libya's interim rulers have said Qaddafi was killed in crossfire, however pictures of a bloody Qaddafi being beaten by his captors have raised doubts over that version of events.
Qaddafi's son Saadi is "shocked and outraged by the vicious brutality" shown toward his father and brother Mo'tassim and said it showed no one connected to the former regime would receive a fair trial in Libya, Saadi's lawyer said.
compiled from agency reports
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