UN chief urges Libyans to reconcile after Gaddafi

(October 21, 2011) The United Nations on Thursday appealed to all sides in Libya to lay down their arms and work together peacefully to rebuild the North African nation following reports that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has been killed. “Clearly, this day marks an historic transition for Libya,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York. “In the coming days, we will witness scenes of celebration, as well as grief for those who lost so much,” he stated. “Yet let us recognize, immediately, that this is only the end of the beginning. The road ahead for Libya and its people will be difficult and full of challenges.” Ban stressed that now is the time for all Libyans to come together, and that they can only realize the promise of the future through national unity and reconciliation. “Combatants on all sides must lay down their arms in peace,” he said. “This is the time for healing and rebuilding, for generosity of spirit – not for revenge.” As Libya’s transitional authorities prepare the way for elections and take the many other steps toward building their new nation, “inclusion and pluralism must be the watchwords,” he added.