Iran Welcomes Gaddafi Death, NATO Attacks Have Ended

Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has died. The Iranian government welcomed the Libyan dictator's death as a great victory. Iran also hopes Gaddafi's death would end the NATO military intervention in Libya.

"Inevitable fate of all dictators and oppressors who do not respect the rights of their people is the destruction," said a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Ramin Mehmanparast quoted as saying by the official news agency IRNA and AFP reported on Friday (21/10/2011 ).

"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes this great victory and congratulate the Muslim people of Libya and the National Transitional Council (National Transitional Council, or NTC)," said Mehmanparast.

According to Iranian officials, with the death of Gaddafi then there is no longer an excuse for foreign military intervention in Libya.

"It is important for foreign forces to withdraw as soon as possible to allow the Libyan people to determine their own future," said Mehmanparast.

The Iranian government has been supporting the Libyan revolution that has lasted eight months and ended with the death of Gaddafi. Although the Iranian government does not give official recognition to the NTC which was formed by the rebels, but Iran sends humanitarian aid and konsiten expressed support for efforts to end the power Gaddafi rebels. Yet Iran also repeatedly opposed the air strikes launched by NATO in Libya.