Brussels, 20/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy stated, on Thursday 20 October, that the death of Muammar Gaddafi “marks the end of an era of despotism and repression from which the Libyan people have suffered for too long”. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton issued a statement saying that the death of the Libyan dictator during the battle of Sirte “brings closure to a tragic period in the lives of so many Libyans”. Upon hearing of the capture of Gaddafi, the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, spoke of a great day for Libya and for democracy.
The Polish foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, explained that Gaddafi's fate is a “warning for other dictators”, although he regrets that he can now not be brought to trial before a court. His regret is shared by France's Defence Minister Gérard Longuet, for whom “this is a good outcome, but frustrating for Libyans who wanted a trial”. Belgium's Prime Minister Yves Leterme described the end of the Gaddafi regime as a very important turning point for Libya, while the head of the Italian government, Silvio Berlusconi, announced that the war was now over, before adding “sic transit gloria mundi” (thus passes the glory of the world). European leaders hailed the fact that Sirte was now under the control of the National Transitional Council (NTC). “After ten months of extraordinary sacrifices, the Libyan people can say with pride and confidence that they have shaken off a regime that terrorised and oppressed for more than 40 years. They can now look to the future”, said Catherine Ashton. Barroso and Van Rompuy took the view that the country can now “turn a page in its history” and “embrace a new democratic future”. They called on the NTC to carry out a process of reconciliation with all Libyans to allow a “democratic, peaceful and transparent transition”. (CG/transl.jl)