Sudan reiterates support to Libya’s NTC in the wake of Gaddafi’s demise

October 20, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government on Thursday renewed its support to the Libyan people and the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) following confirmation that the country’s ex-ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi has been killed.

Libya’s former strongman was killed after being captured by the Libyan fighters he once scorned as “rats,” cornered and shot in the head after they overran his last bastion of resistance in his hometown of Sirte. But details on how he appeared alive on video before later declared dead remain unclear.

TV footages showed Gaddafi, though covered in blood, alive and surrounded by rebel fighters.

Libya’s NTC said Gaddafi was killed when a gunfight broke out after his capture between his supporters and government fighters. He died from a bullet wound to the head, the prime minister said.

Gaddafi’s death marks a dramatic end to his four decade rule which faced a popular uprising last February that quickly turned into an armed rebellion which managed to control the eastern half of the country.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorisation of a ‘No Fly Zone,’ enforced by the NATO, was a decisive factor in empowering rebel troops on the ground to eventually topple him. Many countries, especially in Africa accused NATO of overstepping its mandate and siding with the rebels to overthrow the regime.

Sudan had reportedly secretly given NATO permission to use its airspace in the course of its Libya operations.

The state minister of information Sana Hamad was quoted by Sudan official news agency (SUNA) today as saying that the government hopes this day “will mark the beginning a new history for the free, neighbour and sister Libya.”

Hamad added that Sudan looks forward to seeing the Libyan people working for the establishment of a “united and strong country that will be an effective element of regional stability.”

Another Sudanese official made an explicit sign of relief over Gaddafi’s death.

“It was expected,” said Amin Hassan Omer; head of Darfur Peace Follow-up Desk to national TV.

Omer said that Gaddafi played negative roles in Darfur during the conflict years.

“Gaddafi sets the fire and then works to put it out [in Darfur] so that he appears like a hero,” he said.

Mainly non-Arab rebels took up arms against Sudan’s government in 2003, accusing it of marginalising the remote western territory.

Khartoum mobilised troops and mostly-Arab militias to crush the uprising, unleashing a wave of violence that Washington and some activists have called genocide. Khartoum dismisses the accusation.

Fighting has declined since the early days of the conflict but there have been continued clashes between government troops, militias, bandits, tribes and rival rebel factions.

(ST)