Reacting to the capture of Seif Al-Islam Kadhafi, the Libyan leader's son, by Libyan rebels, the European Union (EU) Monday said: 'the hard work made by forces of the new Libya, supported militarily by NATO and several member states as well as countries in the region, has sounded the death knell for the regime of Colonel Mouammar Kadhafi.'

The EU said, in a statement here, that it was pleased with the desire of the 'the Libyan people to seek freedom at this turning point in their history'.

The EU statement followed the incursion Sunday into many parts of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, by soldiers of the National Transition Council (NTC).

In the statement, the EU called on the Libyan leader to accept the will of the people and step down 'immediately' to avoid further suffering and bloodshed.

EU promised it would continue to support Libya in its democratic transition and economic reconstruction, 'based on justice, territorial inclusion and integrity,' along with the entire international community.

Pana 22 Août 2011