German Chancellor: Libya can make fresh start after Gadhafi death

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel at State Palace in Ulan Bator on Oct. 13. Photo by REUTERS/Carlos Barria

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Libya was now free to make a fresh start and begin peaceful democratic reforms after the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

“This brings to an end a bloody war that Gaddafi waged against his own people. The path is now finally clear for a fresh political start, in peace. Germany is relieved and very happy about this,” Merkel said in a statement.

She said Libya should now carry out political reforms to “ensure the achievements of the Arab Spring cannot be undone.”

Reporting by Stephen Brown and Alexandra Hudson