From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I warmly welcome the announcement by the National Transitional Council that Libya has now been fully liberated. This is a great victory for the people of Libya. Their courage and determination in the cause of freedom has inspired the world.

As they embark on the challenging journey from dictatorship to democracy, I call on all Libyans to put aside their differences and build a new inclusive Libya, based on reconciliation, and full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Our NATO-led operation to protect the people of Libya, under the historic mandate of the United Nations, is very close to completion. We have taken a preliminary decision to end Operation Unified Protector on October 31, and we will take a formal decision in the next few days.

As we wind down the operation, together with our partners, we will monitor the situation and retain the capacity to respond to threats to civilians, if needed. So that the people of Libya can safely take their future fully into their own hands.

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the liberation of Libya.  (photo: AP)

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