China calls for inclusive political transition in Libya
21 Oct 2011
China today called for an "inclusive political transition" in Libya after ousted leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in an assault by National Transitional Council forces on his home town, Sirte.
Beijing, with significant economic interests in the oil-rich North African country, had long propped the Kadhafi regime prior to the uprising.
It flayed the NATO airstrikes which helped the rebels gain control over vast swathes of the country and was, at one stage, accused of trying to sell weapons to the former dictator in July.
China's formal recognition of the NTC came only last month with its becoming the last permanent member of the UN Security Council to do so.
In a reaction to Kadhafi's death, China's foreign ministry said Libya had "opened a new page" in history.
Ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu said China hoped Libya would be able to start on an inclusive political transition process as soon as possible to safeguard ethnic and national unity and achieve social stability.
