Western ‘liberators’ hope for democracy in new Libya

The Western powers that helped liberate Libya hoped Sunday for a peaceful transition to democratic rule, with U.S. President Barack Obama leading pleas for national reconciliation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, widely regarded as one of the key architects of the U.S. and NATO-led military intervention, praised “ordinary, brave Libyans” for shaking off the yoke of more than 40 years of oppression.

But she also cautioned that “much work remains to be done” as the Transitional National Council develops into an interim government and builds towards Libya’s first free and fair elections.

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Libya on today’s historic declaration of liberation,” Obama 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.”

Libya’s new leaders earlier Sunday declared the country “liberated”, three days after ousted despot Muammar Qaddafi was captured and killed, paving the way for the formation of an interim government.

“Now that the fighting in Libya has reached an end, the Transitional National Council must turn its attention to the political transition ahead,” Obama said in a written statement.

“The Libyan authorities should also continue living up to their commitments to respect human rights, begin a national reconciliation process, secure weapons and dangerous materials, and bring together armed groups under a unified civilian leadership,” he said.

“As they take these steps, the United States will continue our close cooperation with our international partners and the U.N. support mission in Libya to help advance a stable, democratic transition.”

After ordering an initial assault in March that took out Libya’s air defenses, Obama ceded the primary role in the Libya operation to NATO allies Britain and France, though U.S. forces maintained crucial logistical support.

“The Libyan people now have the chance to work together in a new political process, leading to a pluralistic and open society under the rule of law,” said British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

“That opportunity is within their grasp and we urge them to seize it, avoiding retribution and reprisals and ensuring that national reconciliation and reconstruction go hand in hand.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed the start of a “post-Qaddafi era” in Libya.

“The Libyan people have courageously risen up against decades of tyranny. Canada’s involvement, as sanctioned by the United Nations and led by NATO, has supported their aspirations for the future,” he said.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also hailed a a great victory for the people of Libya.

“Their courage and determination in the cause of freedom has inspired the world,” Rasmussen said, two days after announcing that NATO would now look to wrap up its involvement in Libya at the end of the month.

“As they embark on the challenging journey from dictatorship to democracy, I call on all Libyans to put aside their differences and build a new inclusive Libya, based on reconciliation, and full respect for human rights and the rule of law,” he said.

Tunisians walked a step ahead of their North African neighbors in the Arab Spring, voting Sunday in their first free elections nine months after ousting a dictator and giving birth to the movement.

“I congratulate the millions of Tunisians who voted in the first democratic elections to take place in the country that changed the course of history and began the Arab Spring,” Obama said.

“Just as so many Tunisian citizens protested peacefully in streets and squares to claim their rights, today they stood in lines and cast their votes to determine their own future,” he said.

“Now, Tunisia begins the hard work of forming an interim government, drafting a new constitution, and charting a democratic course that meets the aspirations of all Tunisians.”