Libya now 'liberated': McCain

WASHINGTON: Senior US Senator John McCain said Thursday that the death of Moamer Qadhafi marked the end of "the first phase" of Libya's revolution and called for closer ties between Washington and Tripoli.

"The death of Moamer Qadhafi marks an end to the first phase of the Libyan revolution. While some final fighting continues, the Libyan people have liberated their country," the Republican lawmaker said in a statement.

His comments came shortly after a spokesman for the National Transitional Council rebels in Libya said Qadhafi had been killed by new regime forces in their final assault on the last pocket of resistance in his hometown Sirte.

"Now the Libyan people can focus all of their immense talents on strengthening their national unity, rebuilding their country and economy, proceeding with their democratic transition, and safeguarding the dignity and human rights of all Libyans," said McCain.

"The United States, along with our European allies and Arab partners, must now deepen our support for the Libyan people, as they work to make the next phase of their democratic revolution as successful as the fight to free their country," he said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011