All sides in Libya must avoid reprisals: EU's Ashton

After the rebels took control of Tripoli this week, Ashton said Libya was "now embarking on an historic transition process that should be based upon the respect for democratic values and human rights."

"Colonel Kadhafi must avoid further bloodshed by relinquishing power and calling on those forces that continue to fight to lay down their arms and protect civilians," she said as Moamer Qadhafi remained in hiding.

She added: "Today, under UN leadership, we agreed to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian and international human rights obligations. There should be no reprisals."

Qadhafi loyalists and rebels have shown little mercy for each other in the battle for Tripoli in the past few days, with correspondents seeing evidence of beatings, lynchings and summary executions.

"All partners should respect Libyan leadership and sovereignty. Every effort must be made to promote reconciliation," she said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011