UN chief marks one-year anniversary of revolution in Libya

Marking the one-year anniversary of the revolution in Libya, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday that Libyans are within reach of a "democratic future" which one year ago seemed only a "distant dream".

"In the year ahead, the United Nations stands ready to lend its utmost support to Libyan efforts in the transitional period, particularly to the election of a National Congress and the subsequent process of constitution-making," said Ban in a statement released here by his spokesperson.

In the statement, the secretary-general urged "all Libyans to stand together in a spirit of reconciliation; to insist that a revolution in the name of human rights must not be tarnished by abuses but must bring about justice through rule of law; and to ensure that women, youth and civil society as a whole are encouraged to play their full part in the development of transparent, inclusive and accountable institutions."

With the transition to democracy, Ban noted, it is "a period of great challenges, but it is also a time of opportunities to build a new Libya that honors the sacrifices of its people in their struggle for freedom."

Inspired by uprisings that had swept Tunisia and Egypt and forced their leaders to step down, thousands of Libyans started a string of protests against former leader Muammar Gaddafi`s 41-year rule.

After months of civil war, the Libyan people finally saw the establishment of a transitional government which is tasked with brokering national reconciliation and restoring economic and security order. 

Libya`s ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) was established to serve as Libya`s interim government after Gaddafi was ousted from power and killed by rebel forces. 

In the aftermath of the conflict, the UN Security Council established the UN Support Mission in Libya (NSMIL) to support rule of law, national reconciliation, and the electoral process in the north African country.

Source: ANTARA