Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening hoped that Muammar Gaddafi’s death would mean the beginning of a new chapter for Libya, leading to a strong and united country with Libyans responsible for their destiny and electing their own government.
Dr Gonzi was giving his reaction to dictator Gaddafi’s death.
Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril officially confirmed that Col. Gaddafi was killed in Sirte.
He died as forces of the National Transitional Council launched a final assault on the last pocket of resistance in his hometown.
Dr Gonzi said he had no doubt the Maltese wished that the events in Libya would lead the country to success and would also bring stability to the Mediterranean.
Malta had been witness to what had taken place and would do its utmost to continue helping and supporting Libya.
The war had been tough but the Libyans now faced a bigger challenge -that of giving birth to a democratic process.
“The Maltese will help according to our capabilities,” Dr Gonzi said.
PL HOPING FOR PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION
Dr George Vella, the Opposition's spokesman on foreign affairs, said that he hoped that following today's events, Libya would witness less bloodshed and would instead embark on a process of reconciliation and rebuilding.
He augured that Libya would embrace democracy and those values which the Libyan people had long sought and shed their blood for.
The PL, Dr Vella said, wished to see unity and peace in a free Libya, but appreciated that more hard work remained to be done for this dream to be realised. The party, he said, stood ready to help in any way it could.
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil also reacted to Gaddafi’s death and said this marked the closing of a painful chapter and the opening of a new beginning for the Libyan people.
"The demise of Gaddafi marks a new start for the Libyan people. May they rebuild the country in full respect of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Dr Busuttil said
“I am proud that both my country and my political group in the European Parliament, the EPP, are four-square behind the Libyan people in this new beginning,” he added.