‘Gadhafi’s days are over:’ Harper hails dictator’s death in Libya

OTTAWA – With the death of Gadhafi, Canada’s military mission will soon be over in Libya.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement while reacting to the former dictator’s death, Thursday.

Keeping a serious tone, the prime minister began his short speech saying never again will Gadhafi support terrorism or turn his guns on his own citizens.

“The Libyan people can finally turn the page on 42 years of vicious oppression, and continue their journey toward a better future.”

now that Gadhafi is dead Harper believes our military has served its purpose.

“In cooperation with our NATO and Striker Group allies, they upheld the UN mandate to defend innocent Libyans against the regime’s violence.

Harper added that he was proud of the work Canadian troops have done in Libya and specifically commended Lieut. General Charles Bouchard, who commanded the international military coalition from a NATO base in Italy.

“I should also like to commend Lieut. General Charles Bouchard of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who led the combined NATO military mission in Libya. General Bouchard has served our country with great distinction,” said Harper. “I have recently spoken with General Bouchard, and our Government shall be speaking with our allies to prepare for the end of our military engagement in the next few days.”

Harper ended his statement wishing the best for the people of Libya.

“With the shadow of Gaddafi now lifted from their land, it is our hope that the Libyan people will find peace and reconciliation after this dark period in the life of their nation and we look forward to working with them.”

Canada recently gave Libya’s new provisional government, the National Transitional Council, $10-million to clean up weapons of mass destruction and help the country make the transition to democracy.

The council said the fall of Sirte would mean Libya was fully liberated and that plans for democratic elections and a new constitution for the North African country could move forward.

Canada has also released about $2.2-billion in Gadhafi’s seized assets, money that will help the council run Libya. And Canada recently reopened its embassy in Tripoli after closing it Feb. 26.

A priority of Canada’s newly functioning embassy will be helping Canadian companies — including Alberta oil producer Suncor and Montreal engineering firm SNC Lavalin — resume operations.

Calgary-based energy firm Suncor had been working with the state-owned National Oil Corp. and was producing about 50,000 barrels of oil a day before the violence began.

SNC Lavalin is involved in several Libyan ventures, including building a prison and part of a water-supply system.

Representatives from those companies and Pure Technologies of Calgary recently accompanied Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird on his recent trip to Tripoli, his second to Libya this year.

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