Gaddafi's death: World reaction UN chief Ban Ki-moon says deposed leader's death "marks a historic transition for Libya"

Colonel Gaddafi's whereabouts had been largely unknown until his death in his hometown of Sirte on Thursday [Reuters]

Libya's ousted leader had been on the run since National Transitional
Council (NTC) forces captured the capital Tripoli and forced him to
flee in August.

Gaddafi had vowed to die defending his country
and railed against NATO's attacks that helped boost the military
campaign against his regime. Below are reactions from world leaders to
his death.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon

This day marks a historic transition for Libya. In the coming days,
we will witness scenes of celebration as well as grief for those who
lost so much. Now is the time for all Libyans to come together. Libyans
can only realise the promise of the future for national unity and
reconciliation. Combatants on all sides must lay down their arms in
peace. This is the time for healing and rebuilding, for generosity of
spirit, not for revenge.

US president Barack Obama

For four decades, the Gaddafi regime ruled the Libyan people with
an iron fist. Their human rights were denied. Innocent civilians were
detained, beaten and killed. Libya's wealth was squandered and enormous
potential of Libyan people was held back and terror was used as a
political weapon. Today we can definitively say that the Gaddafi regime
has come to an end.

The European Union

The death of Gaddafi marks the end of an era of despotism, said
Herman Van Rompuy, the bloc's president. That Gaddafi died in a raid in
Sirte means an end also to the repression from which the Libyan people
have suffered for too long.

British prime minister David Cameron

People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future.

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi

Now the war is over. Sic transit gloria mundi [Thus pmindes the glory of the world]

French president Nicolas Sarkozy

The disappearance of Muammar Gaddafi 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.

German chancellor Angela Merkel

With this, a bloody war comes to an end, which Gaddafi led against
his own people. Libya must now quickly take further resolute steps
towards democracy and make the achievments so far of the Arab Spring
irreversible.

The African Union

The Union said it had lifted its suspension of Libya's membership and
said in a statement it would authorise the current authorities in Libya
to occupy the seat of Libya in the AU and its organs.

US senator John McCain

The United States, along with our European allies and Arab partners,
must now deepen our support for the Libyan people, as they work to make
the next phase of their democratic revolution as successful as the fight
to free their country.

Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the US Congress

Libyans are safer now after Gaddafi's death and the Arab world is
breaking free. But never celebrate death of anyone, even bad people.

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