The European Union was one of the first international organisations to react to Muammar Gaddafi’s death yesterday urging the transitional government to push for a broad-based reconciliation in the country.

European Council President, Herman van Rompuy, and European Commission president Josè Manuel Barroso said dialogue between all elements of Libyan society was now needed for a successful transition to democracy.

“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,” they said in a statement.

“We call on the National Transitional Council to pursue a broad-based reconciliation process that reaches out to all Libyans and enables a democratic, peaceful and transparent transition,” they said.

The European Parliament too reacted to the news coming out of Sirte, with president Jerzy Buzek describing the event as “a new impetus towards the democratic transition of Libya”.

Mr Buzek said that the new democratic system in Libya must be based on the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of all citizens. “I will be able to discuss those matters with our partners in Libya as of next Saturday. I am happy I will be visiting a country fully liberated from a dictator who has imposed his iron fist for more than 40 years. Now Libya can truly turn the page,” he said.

The head of the Maltese delegation in the EP, Simon Busuttil, said the demise of Col Gaddafi closed a painful chapter for the Libyan people. “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.

Since the start of the Libyan conflict in February, the EU has provided more than €156.5 million in humanitarian support with €80.5 million coming directly from the EU budget. It has mobilised EU civil protection teams and assets to alleviate the plight of civilians both in Libya and at its borders and has opened offices in Benghazi and Tripoli.

The EU reiterated its readiness to resume negotiations on a framework agreement with Libya that could serve as a basis for political, economic, social and cultural dialogue and cooperation. Negotiations had already started with the Libyan regime but were suspended when the conflict started.

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