China urges ‘inclusive transition’ in Libya

BEIJING – China called Friday for an “inclusive political transition” in Libya after the death of ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi 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 Gadhafi’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 Gadhafi’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.