‘New power must secure arms left by old regime’

Libyan rebels on the verge of driving leader Muammar al-Gaddafi from power must secure weapons caches amassed by his regime and ensure they are not used to threaten the country’s neighbours, the region or beyond, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.

She also said the fight against the still-defiant Gaddafi must continue.

“We must see our military mission through to its conclusion,” she said of the Nato operation to protect civilians that began in March.

“Coalition military operations should continue as long as civilians remain under threat of attack,” Ms Clinton said at an international conference in Paris to rally financial and other support for the rebels and the government they are trying to install.

The session fell on the 42nd anniversary of the coup in which Gaddafi seized power.

Ms Clinton said Gaddafi and his remaining loyalists should concede defeat for the sake of the Libyan people and stressed it was imperative that Libya’s new leaders ensure that Gaddafi-era stockpiles, including of mustard agent and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft devices, are safe.

She called on the opposition to protect the rights of all Libyans, particularly women and minorities, as it moves to consolidate its authority. She also urged other nations to assist opposition efforts to forge a democratic transition after four decades of autocratic rule.

“Libya’s new leadership will need to continue to stand against violent extremism and work with us to ensure that weapons from Gaddafi’s stockpiles do not threaten Libya’s neighbours and the world,” Ms Clinton said.

She appealed for the countries around the world to follow the lead of the US and Europe by recognising the opposition National Transitional Council as Libya’s legitimate government and give it the Libyan seat at the annual United Nations General Assembly session later this month.

The UN should also authorise a mission to Libya should the rebels ask for one, she said