David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy saluted a “free Libya” yesterday but warned that Muammar Gaddafi remained a danger, on the first visit by foreign leaders to the North African nation since the despot was toppled.
The British Premier and French President arrived in Tripoli to a heroes’ welcome and were mobbed when they later flew into Benghazi, bastion of the rebel movement that overthrew Colonel Gaddafi, with Mr Sarkozy earning the loudest cheers.
The diplomatic visit came even as forces of the National Transitional Council (NTC) moved to gates of the fallen dictator’s hometown of Sirte.
“It is great to be in a free Benghazi and in a free Libya,” Mr Cameron said as jubilant crowds cheered them, flashing V-for-victory signs.
“The people of Britain salute your courage.”
“Your city was an inspiration to the world,” Mr Cameron added. “Colonel Gaddafi said he would hunt you like rats but you show the courage of lions.” Mr Sarkozy said: “Friends in Benghazi we ask one thing. We believe in a united Libya, not a divided Libya.”
“You wanted peace, you wanted liberty, you want economic progress. France, Great Britain and Europe will be on the side of the Libyan people,” he said.
A smiling Mr Sarkozy was mobbed by cheering crowds as he left the podium after the two men delivered their brief remarks.
Before flying to Benghazi, they gave a news conference in Tripoli, and Mr Cameron pledged help to bring the fugitive former strongman to book.
“We must keep on with the Nato mission until civilians are all protected and until this work is finished,” Mr Cameron said.
“We will help you to find Gaddafi and to bring him to justice.”
Mr Sarkozy said the toppled despot remained a “danger” and that there was a “job to finish” in eliminating his forces’ remaining strongholds. Mr Sarkozy insisted there was “no ulterior motive” in Western assistance to the new Libya.
“We did what we did because we thought it was right,” he declared.
Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy, whose forces spearheaded the Nato air war that helped topple Col Gaddafi, are immensely popular among ordinary Libyans for their role in ending the fugitive strongman’s 42 years of iron-fisted rule.
In Tripoli, they met the head of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who had given assurances the capital was sufficiently secure since its capture from Col Gaddafi’s forces last month for the visit to go ahead.
Mr Cameron said Nato would continue its UN-mandated air operations until Col Gaddafi’s remaining redoubts Sirte on the Mediterranean coast and in a slew of Saharan oases extending to Libya’s southern borders are neutralised.