Britain 'proud' of part played in Libyan revolution
Loading...
Friday, February 17, 2012
The UK government says it is proud of the role British armed forces played in overthrowing Colonel Gaddafi last year.
Prime Minister David Cameron was speaking on the anniversary of the start of the Libyan revolution.
He also said: "Britain shares the ambitions of Libyans for a stable, prosperous country based on fundamental freedoms and human rights."
Earlier, Foreign Secretary William Hague "reaffirmed UK commitment to supporting Libyans".
Libya's uprising, along with revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and Syria, saw a so-called "Arab spring".
The uprising against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi began on 17 February 2011 on the streets of Benghazi.
Mr Cameron said: "It was a defining moment of the Arab spring and the Libyan people can be immensely proud of the inspiration they have given others around the world, as we are of our role in supporting them."
The prime minister added: "One year ago today, thousands of brave men and women took to the streets of Benghazi in a revolution which spread across Libya, bringing together different tribes, towns and cities to remove a brutal dictator and to return Libya to its people."
Gaddafi himself was killed in October in his home town of Sirte.