Obama: World will stand by Libya

US President Barack Obama is promising the Libyan people that the world will stand with them as they reshape their country following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

In prepared remarks released ahead of Mr Obama’s speech at a high-level United Nations meeting on Libya, the president warned that there would still be difficult days ahead in Libya, as Gaddafi loyalists make a final stand. But he said it was clear that Libya was now in the hands of the people.

“After decades of iron rule by one man, it will take time to build the institutions needed for a democratic Libya. There will be days of frustration,” Mr Obama said. “But if we have learned anything these many months, it is this - do not underestimate the aspirations and will of the Libyan people.”

Mr Obama praised the international community for having “the courage and the collective will to act” in Libya. He said that while global powers cannot and should not intervene every time there is an injustice in the world, there are times when nations must join forces to prevent the killing of innocent civilians.

“Our international coalition stopped the regime in its tracks, saved countless lives, and gave the Libyan people the time and space to prevail,” Mr Obama said.

Mr Obama was to speak at a high-level meeting on Libya, alongside several other world leaders and representatives of Libya’s National Transitional Council. Prior to that gathering, Mr Obama was to meet one-on-one with the NTC’s chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil.