China urges 'inclusive transition' in Libya
'Libya has opened a new page':
CHINA: China called Friday for an "inclusive political transition" in
Libya after the death of ousted leader Moamer Kadhafi in a final assault
by National Transitional Council forces on his home town of Sirte.
"We hope Libya will be able to start an inclusive political
transition process as soon as possible to safeguard ethnic and national
unity and achieve social stability," said foreign ministry spokeswoman
Jiang Yu.
The demise on Thursday of the hated dictator, who ruled his oil-rich
North African nation with an iron rod for close on 42 years, sparked a
spontaneous outpouring of joy and celebratory gunfire in streets across
Libya. In Tripoli, interim premier Mahmud Jibril said NTC leader Mustafa
Abdel Jalil was to declare by Friday that the country had been
liberated, paving the way for the formation of an interim government
ahead of elections.
As Libyans danced for joy in the streets, world leaders welcomed
Kadhafi's demise as the end of despotism, tyranny, dictatorship and
ultimately war in Libya.
Jiang said Libya had "opened a new page" in history and China hoped
the country could "rebuild its economy so the people can live a peaceful
and happy life". Russia and China, both veto-wielding members of the UN
Security Council, had abstained from the Council vote in March that gave
the go-ahead for international military action against Kadhafi's regime.
Since then China, which has significant economic interests in the
oil-rich North African country, has held a number of meetings with
members of the NTC as part of efforts to defuse the crisis. AFP |