AFP/United Nations
US President Barack Obama yesterday led an international welcome for Libya’s former rebel leaders at the UN and warned that Nato would carry on with air strikes while civilians are “threatened.”
Libyan leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B Lynn Pascoe look on as the Kingdom of Libya flag is positioned before they address the media at the UN General Assembly in New York yesterday
With the new Libyan flag flying at the UN headquarters, interim government leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil thanked all nations who aided with the “success of the Libyan revolution” which he revealed had left at least 25,000 dead.
The UN and world leaders all promised to help the new government with its campaign to take remaining territory held by Gaddafi fighters and to rebuild the country and organise elections.
“For the past seven months, you have fought courageously for your fundamental rights and freedoms,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Jalil as he launched the summit.
Amid new battles for towns still in the hands of Gaddafi loyalists, Ban said “the first priority must be peace and security,” and Obama called on those fighters still supporting Gaddafi to lay down their arms.
“So long as the Libyan people are being threatened, the Nato-led mission to protect them will continue,” Obama said.
“And those still holding out must understand—the old regime is over, and it is time to lay down your arms and join the new Libya.”
Obama said: “Today, the Libyan people are writing a new chapter in the life of their nation. After four decades of darkness, they can walk the streets, free from a tyrant.”
The US president described Libya as “a lesson in what the international community can achieve when we stand together as one.”
But he stressed that there must be a democratic transition after four decades of one-man rule that is “peaceful, inclusive and just.”
“To the people of Libya: this is your chance,” Obama said. “And today the world is saying, in one unmistakable voice, we will stand with you as you seize this moment of promise; as you reach for the freedom, the dignity and the opportunity you deserve.”
Jalil told the summit how the revolution had left 25,000 “martyrs” and at least 50,000 wounded during the eight months of fighting.
But he thanked the UN, which passed sanctions against Gaddafi, and all the countries that helped “the success of the Libyan revolution.” Without mentioning the Nato air strikes, he said the international assistance had been crucial because of the “huge amount of weaponry that Gaddafi deployed against his people.”
Jalil vowed that the new Libya would be a “vibrant” democracy that respects regional peace and security.
The NTC chairman said many Gaddafi regime members had been detained and some had been freed again. Many would face justice but Jalil insisted all would get a “fair trial.”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a plea for support for all of the Arab countries where people have stood up against autocratic leaders.
