THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama led the world in hailing the death of Muammar Gaddafi as the end of 40 years of despotism and tyranny, amid caution that Libya’s transition to a fair and democratic society could be long and difficult.
“A long and painful chapter for the people of Libya is now closed,” said the US president, speaking in the White House Rose Garden. “Today we can definitively say the Gaddafi regime has come to an end and one of the world’s longest serving dictators is no more.”
“The dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted and with this enormous promise the people of Libya have a great responsibility to build an inclusive, tolerant and democratic Libya that stands as the ultimate rebuke to Gaddafi’s dictatorship.” But, he added, “we are under no illusions – there will be difficult days ahead”.
The president, who was criticised at home for involving the US military in a third overseas mission, stressed how its objectives had been achieved without a single American soldier being deployed on the ground and stressed that the eight-month Nato mission would soon come to an end. He praised the co-operation between Nato and Arab nations as a model for the 21st century.
Col Gaddafi’s demise served as a warning to other despots in north Africa and the Middle East who have now seen leaders toppled and protests challenge the status quo across the region.
“Today’s events proved once again that the rule of iron fist inevitably comes to an end,” he said. » | Alex Spillius, Washington and Richard Spencer | Thursday, October 20, 2011
Forgive me if I am missing something here, but from Obama’s speech, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Americans have got rid of Qadhafi alone. There was no mention in his speech of Britain and France’s significant contributions. Indeed, it was my understanding that Cameron and Sarkozy decided to go together on this. America, if it played any rôle at all, took a back seat. So Obama’s speech confuses me somewhat! – © Mark
