France hails 'end of tyranny' in Libya

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe hailed Thursday the "end of 42 years of tyranny" in Libya after the death of Moamer Kadhafi and said France was "proud" to have helped bring freedom to the country. "The announcement of the death of Kadhafi and the collapse of Sirte is the end of a very difficult period for the Libyan people. It's the end of 42 years of tyranny, of a military conflict that has been very difficult for the Libyan people," Juppe told reporters in New Delhi. "It's a historic event. It's the beginning of a new period, of a democracy, freedom and the rebuilding of the country," he added. "France is proud to have helped the Libyan people," he said, referring to the role of French forces in NATO action in Libya during the seven-month conflict.