By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Washington : The NATO-led operation in Libya will continue until the forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are defeated, US President Barack Obama has said.
“So long as the Libyan people are being threatened, the NATO-led mission to protect them will continue,” Obama said Tuesday at a high-level UN conference on Libya.
“And those still holding out must understand-the old regime is over, and it is time to lay down your arms and join the new Libya.”
Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) Monday agreed on the make-up of an interim cabinet. NTC chief Mahmoud Jibril has been named interim prime minister. There will be a total of 22 ministries in the new government.
The North African state’s new flag flew at UN headquarters for the first time since Gaddafi was deposed. The flag was used from 1951 until Gaddafi introduced his own flag in 1977.
“For Libya this is a historic day,” UN Secretary Genera Ban Ki-moon said.
Obama also said the US would reopen its embassy in Libya.