As news spread Thursday that former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi had been captured and killed in his hometown of Sirte by the National Transitional Council's forces, Libyans around the world cheered and celebrated the tyrant's death. Following the confirmation of his death, world leaders, from U.S. President Barack Obama to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, released statements and remarks sending hopeful, yet cautious messages to the Libyan people.
U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House said:"The dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted. And with this enormous promise, the Libyan people now have a great responsibility -- to build an inclusive and tolerant and democratic Libya that stands as the ultimate rebuke to Qaddafi's dictatorship. We look forward to the announcement of the country's liberation, the quick formation of an interim government, and a stable transition to Libya's first free and fair elections. And we call on our Libyan friends to continue to work with the international community to secure dangerous materials, and to respect the human rights of all Libyans -- including those who have been detained... We're under no illusions -- Libya will travel a long and winding road to full democracy. There will be difficult days ahead. "ReutersCanada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the National Post outside the House of Commons:"Our government shall be speaking with our allies to prepare for the end of our military mission in the next few days... With the shadow of Gaddafi now lifted from their land it is our hope that the Libyan people will find peace and reconciliation after this dark period in the life of their nation."ReutersClinton told employees at the State Department that she was done with the "high wire of American politics" for the time being (watch here), a statement confirmed by officials and which has shocked those certain that she would replace Joe Biden as President Obama's running mate for the 2012 election. ReutersBritish Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement:"People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future... I'm proud of the role Britain has played and I pay tribute to the bravery of the Libyans who helped liberate their country. We should also remember the many Libyans who died at the hands of this dictator."ReutersU.S. Vice President Joseph Biden ReutersU.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon addressed the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Thursday morning, prior to a vote on Palestine's status at the U.N.ReutersFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy, reports the Telegraph:"[This is] a major step forward in the battle fought for more than eight months by the Libyan people to liberate themselves from the dictatorial and violent regime imposed on them for more than 40 years... A new page is turning for the Libyan people, one of reconciliation in unity and freedom."Reuters
