Secretary Hillary Clinton made these remarks with Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril

Secretary Clinton. (In progress) on the soil of a free Libya. And on behalf of the American people I congratulate all Libyans. It is a great privilege to see a new future for Libya being born. And indeed, the work ahead is quite challenging, but the Libyan people have demonstrated the resolve and resilience necessary to achieve their goals.

Think about what has been achieved already. In crowded squares and mountain passes, Libyans stood up against a dictator's aggression, and claimed the rights and dignity of a free people. Libyans were called rats by their own leaders and they were confronted by every possible tactic to break your spirit. But no threats dimmed the courage of the Libyan people. The United States was proud to stand with you, and we will continue to stand with you as you continue this journey, respecting your sovereignty and honoring our friendship. This is Libya's moment. This is Libya's victory and the future belongs to you.

The United States knows something about revolution and liberty. That is how our nation was born more than 230 years ago. And we know that democracy takes time; it will not be easy or quick. But we are filled with admiration for what you have already accomplished and confident in your ability to move forward.

Now, we recognize that the fighting, the bloody fighting, continues. We know that Qadhafi and those close to him are still at large. But the NATO and international coalition that came together on your behalf will continue to protect Libyan civilians until the threat from Qadhafi and those who hang to the past is ended.

In our meetings today, the chairman, prime minister, and their colleagues shared with us their plans for establishing an inclusive democracy in Libya. We agreed that the Libyan people deserve a nation governed by the rule of law, not the whims of men. We believe you deserve a government that represents all Libyans from all parts of the country and all backgrounds, including women and young people. We believe you deserve a transparent and fair judicial system. We also are convinced that revenge and vigilantism have no place in the new Libya.

And we believe you deserve an economy that delivers jobs, dignity, and opportunities to all Libyans—not just to the powerful and connected. We also share your concern about caring for the wounded and the families of the fallen, about securing weapons that may have gone missing, about integrating all the various revolutionary forces into a new and unified Libyan military.

Libya is blessed with wealth and resources, most particularly the human resources of the Libyan people. And there is a pressing need, as I was told today, for international expertise and technical assistance. That is why we welcome the idea of a joint committee between Libya and the United States to look at the priorities that the Libyans themselves have.

I am pleased that we are working together to return billions of dollars of frozen assets and that we have reopened our Embassy. We will stay focused on security: I am pleased to announce that we are going to put even more money into helping Libya secure and destroy dangerous stockpiles of weapons. And the Administration, working with Congress, is going to provide $40 million to support this effort. We will also work with Libya to destroy chemical weapons stocks.

We want to expand our economic cooperation with Libya, to create new educational and cultural exchanges and deepen our engagement with civil society. First, we will launch this new partnership to provide care to your wounded. It deeply moves us that so many people dropped whatever they were doing to fight for their freedom—engineers and teachers, doctors and business leaders, students, and so many others. We plan to evacuate some of the most seriously injured to specialized medical facilities in the United States. We want to help you care for your patients here in Libya, so we will work together to establish a modern medical management system and to provide needed supplies and equipment.

We are also very focused on the young people of Libya who have the most to gain from this new freedom. And today I am pleased to announce we are resuming the Fulbright program and doubling its size to permit even more Libyan students to study and train in my country. We will also open new English language classes across Libya for young people and provide special training for Libyan veterans with disabilities because of their combat experience.

We are increasing grants and training to new civil society organizations and working with Libyan women to make sure they have the skills and opportunities to participate fully in the political and economic life of their countries.

And as with the transitions in Tunisia and Egypt, we will partner with Libya to create new economic opportunities and broader prosperity by boosting trade and investment, increasing tourism, building ties between Libyan and American businesses, and helping to integrate Libya more closely into regional and global markets.

This list is just a beginning, because we want to hear from the Libyan people, from the new government that will be established after Libya is fully liberated. But we think we share a lot of the same aspirations for our families and our countries and that we have a lot to learn from each other and give to each other.

Later, I will be meeting with students and civil and society leaders at Tripoli University, talking and listening to the young people of Libya, because it is to all of them that we dedicate our efforts on your behalf.

So again, prime minister, let me thank you for your warm welcome, and thanks to the people of Libya. And we give you our very best wishes and promise our best efforts as you undertake this journey to a new democracy.

Prime Minister Jibril. Thank you, your Excellency.

Moderator. (In Arabic.)

Secretary Clinton. Well, let me begin by saying that I personally and the Government of the United States supports human rights everywhere for everyone. And we advocate that not only to governments but also through civil society and work to try to support the opportunities and aspirations of every individual to live up to his or her God-given potential. So we have spoken out. We will continue to speak out.

But different circumstances demand different kinds of responses, and the opportunity now in Libya is to not only chart a new future for Libyans but to stand as a model for democracy and freedom that was won with the blood of your martyrs is an extraordinary chance that comes perhaps only once in human history. So we think that what Libya has before it, the opportunity to make good on the promise of the revolution, is of the utmost importance, and that is why we are standing ready to work closely with the new Government of Libya and with the people of Libya.

We have and will continue to speak out to our friends, who we believe should do more on behalf of women and women's rights—and I have said that many times—and with those with whom we have very serious differences, who are preventing the full aspirations and freedom of their people to flourish. But today, I am here to talk about Libya and Libya's future and the hope that not only the United States but the world has invested in the future that Libyans will make for themselves.

Q. Madam Secretary, Mister Prime Minister, how concerned are you about the possibility of civil war here, or any lengthy ongoing conflict with pro-Qadhafi forces? And also, could you both comment on what you believe should happen to the convicted Lockerbie bomber? Should he go back to prison?

Secretary Clinton. Well, I think, first of all, we are encouraged by the commitment of the Transitional National Council to taking the steps necessary to bring the country together. National unity is one of the highest priorities that Libya faces right now. And we discussed the process of forging a new democratic interim government that is transparent, inclusive, and consultative. And how that is done will, of course, depend upon the decisions that the Libyan people themselves make.

But from long experience, one factor we know must be confronted is unifying the various militias into a single military that represents the Libyan people and government. And the Transitional National Council is very focused on doing just that. They want to get all the militias under national command. They want to prevent reprisals and secure the stocks of weaponry that have come off the battlefield or have been discovered from the previous regime. And we think that the programs that the Transitional National Council have outlined to pay to the families of the fallen martyrs, to prepare programs and treatment and training for those who have served, are exactly what will be needed. Getting a national army and a police force under civilian command is essential. And the United Nations, the United States, and other partners stand ready to do that. But we are still at the point where liberation has not yet been claimed because of the ongoing conflicts that persist, and of course, the continuing freedom of action of Qadhafi and those around him. So the Transitional National Council has to put security first. There has to be a resolution of the conflict before many of these programs can actually be put into action. And I really believe that all members of all militias must see the benefit of joining the new government, of pledging allegiance, as we say in my country, to the new government.

You know, I come from a very diverse country. We fought a civil war, and it was horrible. It was the war in which more Americans died at each other's hands than any other, and we lived with the consequences for decades afterwards. In today's world, in the 21^st century, that will just throw a people further behind history. So I know that the leadership understands that. They are focused on doing everything they can to end the fighting, to declare the liberation of the country, to form a new government, and to begin to pull the entire country together. So we will do everything we can to respond to that.

And we have made, of course, our strong views known about Megrahi, and I have said, many times, that we believe that he should never have been released. I raised this issue again with the leadership here. We—and we recognize the magnitude of all the issues that Libya is facing, but we also know the importance of the rule of law, and they have assured us they understand how strongly the United States feels about this and all the sensitivities around this case. We will continue to pursue justice on behalf of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing. This is an open case in the United States Department of Justice, and we will continue to discuss it with our Libyan counterparts.

Q. (Inaudible) from Libya Al Hurra TV. Will the United States consider cooperating with the Libyan Islamists on delivering political process for Libya? Thank you.

Secretary Clinton. The democracy that takes root in Libya must be reflective of the aspirations of the people of Libya, not the desires or dictates of any outside group. So with respect to Libyans themselves, we will support a process of democratizing that respects the rule of law; that respects the rights of minorities and women and young people; that creates independent institutions, like a free press and an independent judiciary. Groups and individuals who really believe in democracy should be welcome into that process. But groups that want to undermine democracy or subvert it are going to have to be dealt with by the Libyans themselves.

There are people—and I've been working in this area for many years, even as a private citizen and as a United States senator. There are many people who say they support elections, but only if they get elected. They want one election, one time, and then if they are elected no more elections. So these are all the kinds of challenges that Libyans will face in putting together their democracy. But people must renounce violence, they must give up arms, they must be committed to a democracy that respects the rights of all. And then, of course, you have an inclusive democracy that includes people, but they must be committed to the goals of a true democracy.

Q. Madam Secretary, I'd like to take you a bit east of here. Today, Gilad Shalit has returned home after more than five years in captivity, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been released as well. I was wondering whether you could give us your reaction to the deal struck between Israel and Hamas and how that fits in, if at all, with your wider efforts to resume peace talks, for example, in the Middle East. And also slightly connected to this, we are hearing reports that the American Israeli citizen, Ilan Grapel, who's been detained in Egypt on charges of spying, may be released. I was wondering whether you could confirm that.

Secretary Clinton. Well first, we are pleased that a long ordeal, being held five years as a hostage, has ended for Gilad Shalit and he's been released and finally reunited with his family. He was held for far too long in captivity. And we are also hopeful that Ilan Grapel will similarly be released. We see no basis for any legal action against him.

And of course, we are hopeful that there will be a return to negotiations by the Israelis and the Palestinians by the end of this month, as outlined by the Quartet statement.

So we continue to be very focused on working toward a two-state outcome that would give the Palestinian people the same rights that the Libyan people are now obtaining to chart their own destiny and make their own way in life with their own goals and aspirations being fulfilled, and that Israel would have secure borders and could contribute to the prosperity of the larger region. So we remain focused on that and we'll continue to work toward those outcomes.

Q. (In Arabic.)

Secretary Clinton. Well, Prime Minister Jibril is smiling because I have raised it every time I have seen him and every time that I have seen Chairman Jalil and all of the Libyan officials with whom I have met over the last many months.

I would make three points. First, no country can become a democracy, no economy can develop as fully as it could, if half the population is not included. And the women of Libya have the same rights as their brothers and their husbands and their fathers and their sons to help build a new Libya. So we are very committed and very outspoken about what we hope will be the full inclusion of women in a democratic future.

Secondly, women also sacrificed in this revolution. Women were in the streets. Women were supporting the fighters. Women were sending their sons and their husbands off to an uncertain future, and many will never see them again. So women have sacrificed. They may not have been on the front lines holding a weapon, but they were holding together the society and supporting those who were fighting for Libya's independence. So they have earned the right to be part of Libya's future.

And finally, there is an opportunity here that I hope Libya will seize. I believe because you have won your freedom—no one handed it to you, you fought for it and you won it—that you will find it in your hearts to demonstrate to the entire world that Libya is not only free, but Libya is equal, Libya believes in the rule of law, Libya will educate all of their boys and girls to take their rightful places in the world. I would hope that I could come back to a free, democratic Libya in a few years, and it would be a shining example of what is possible when free people make their own choices.

So I cannot imagine how that could come to pass if women are not given the right to serve their country, to run their businesses, to be educated to the best of their abilities. So I will certainly look to ways that the United States can support the women in Libya to be able to take their rightful places in this new democratic future.

Thank you.

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg delivered these remarks at the White House

President Obama. Hello, everybody. I am very happy to welcome Prime Minister

Stoltenberg to the Oval Office, and his delegation to the United States. Michelle and I have incredibly fond memories of our visits to Oslo, and the extraordinary hospitality that the Norwegian people extended to us and our family.

It is fitting that we meet today, given the events that took place in Libya. Obviously this was a NATO mission that was executed I think very effectively. Part of the reason it was so effective was because of NATO partners like Norway. I've said this before but I want to repeat, Norway punches above its weight. And their participation in the humanitarian mission, protecting civilians, the capacity of Norwegian pilots, their willingness to engage in some very critical missions there, made an enormous difference.

And so I began the meeting by thanking the people of Norway, the Norwegian military, and the Prime Minister for their leadership in helping to give Libya an opportunity to become a democracy.

The people of Norway and the United States share a lot of bonds. Obviously we have an enormous Norwegian-American population here, but we also share a lot of common values. And so in our discussions we covered a wide range of issues. We discussed our partnership in Afghanistan where Norway has been a consistent partner, and discussed how we are going to move the transition forward so that Afghans can take full responsibility for their security by 2014, as we agreed to in Lisbon.

We discussed the world economy, and we shared our intentions to work closely with our European partners to stabilize the eurozone area, but also to make sure that we are all participating in creating a system in which free trade, in which coordinated commercial practices, in which our focus on growing the economy, issues like energy security all involve close coordination between our two countries. And we very much appreciate the partnership there.

We discussed the heartbreaking situation that occurred in Norway on July 22nd. And as I've said before, I think everybody in the United States was horrified by the events there. But I complimented the Prime Minister and the people of Norway for the grace with which they handled this extraordinarily difficult situation. It underscored the importance of all of us cooperating in preventing terrorism of all kinds. And the United States and Norway have established a very effective intelligence cooperation system, and that is continually being enhanced and improved. And so we both agreed that we're very pleased with the progress that we've made in making sure that we are working closely together to prevent the kind of senseless violence that we saw in Norway so recently, and that we've seen around the world over the last several years.

And we also discussed a range of international issues of great importance. We both share the belief that we need a two-state solution to Middle East, and want to work very closely with both the Israelis and the Palestinians to arrive at a negotiated settlement.

We discussed the situation in South Sudan, where—and the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan. And Norway and the United States have been two very important partners in a process to move towards a more peaceful resolution of conflicts there.

We discussed how we can work together in the United Nations and other multilateral fora around issues like climate change and maternal health.

And so I think that the state of cooperation and respect between the United States and Norway has never been higher. I personally feel a great affinity for the people of Norway and grateful for the friendship and partnership that they've provided. And I hope that this is not the last visit but one of many that we'll have together here in the United States. And I hope I have a chance to visit Norway again sometime soon.

So, welcome, Mr. Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg. Thank you so much.

President Obama. Thank you.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. President, for your kind words. And also thank you so much for the hospitality you have shown me and my delegation. And we are very much impressed about your political agenda and also by your global leadership you have shown, and which we appreciate very much in Norway.

We are also very grateful for the sympathy and the condolences you and the people of America conveyed to the people of Norway after the terrible attacks of the 22nd of July. And I know that it was of great comfort for those who lost their loved ones. And as you said, it underlines the importance of cooperation in fighting all kinds of terrorism. We will continue to do so, and we will look into how we can expand our cooperation in fighting terrorism.

We've worked together—or we work together on many different issues; we cooperate on many different areas. One of them are within—or is within the NATO, the military alliance. And as you mentioned, we have accomplished what we had as our aim for the military operations in Libya: We protected civilians; we were able to stop Qaddafi of killing his own people. And I think it shows that we are able to implement decisions by the U.N. and by the NATO, and that's important in itself.

We appreciate the cooperation we have in Afghanistan. We are looking forward to focusing even more on the transition. Norway went into Afghanistan together with our allies, and are going to leave Afghanistan together with our allies.

I appreciate also very much that we had the opportunity to focus on the High North. The High North is a area where we are seeing new possibilities, new challenges, but also new dangers. And the ice is melting. Actually, in the High North we see the consequences of global warming. But at the same time, that opens up new possibilities for energy developments, but also for sea routes, and it increases the need for cooperation between the countries bordering the Arctic area, and the U.S. and Norway are among them.

I appreciate that we can continue our cooperation when it comes to climate change, because we've worked together on halting deforestation, reducing deforestation. And that's the way we can achieve the biggest, the cheapest and the fastest reductions in emissions. We work together in Indonesia in reducing deforestation.

And I appreciate very much that we work together on child mortality, maternal health, and that's an area where we have achieved a lot together during the last years.

So I appreciate very much this opportunity to meet with you, and you are always welcome to Norway and Oslo. Thank you.

President Obama. Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody.

Q. Mr. President, does the Libya—the death of Qaddafi vindicate your policy in Libya?

President Obama. We did exactly what we said we were going to do in Libya. And I think it underscores the capacity of us to work together as an international community. The United States obviously has unique capacities, and we were proud of the leadership we showed in that process. But, increasingly, wherever we have the possibility of working with outstanding partners like Norway, then I think that we're going to be even more effective. And the United States will always preserve its right and duty to protect ourselves, our allies and our interests.

But I think what this shows is that, on a whole range of international issues, there is enormous capacity—and we are able to leverage greater resources, more effectiveness, at lower cost—when we're able to work together. So I'm very proud of the work that we did on this operation.

Most importantly I'm proud of what the Libyan people have achieved. And I think they've got an enormous opportunity ahead of them. They've got a lot of challenges as well, but we have now given them the opportunity to determine their own destiny. And that's something that we've seen across North Africa and the Arab world—that there's nothing unique in aspiring to freedom and human rights and democracy. This is something that all people want to enjoy, and I'm very pleased that the Libyan people are going to have the opportunity to do so. All right?

Thank you very much, everybody.

President Barack Obama gave this statement at the White House

President Obama. Good afternoon, everybody. Today, the government of Libya announced the death of Muammar Qaddafi. This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya, who now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya.

For four decades, the Qaddafi regime ruled the Libyan people with an iron fist. Basic human rights were denied. Innocent civilians were detained, beaten and killed. And Libya's wealth was squandered. The enormous potential of the Libyan people was held back, and terror was used as a political weapon.

Today, we can definitively say that the Qaddafi regime has come to an end. The last major regime strongholds have fallen. The new government is consolidating the control over the country. And one of the world's longest-serving dictators is no more.

One year ago, the notion of a free Libya seemed impossible. But then the Libyan people rose up and demanded their rights. And when Qaddafi and his forces started going city to city, town by town, to brutalize men, women and children, the world refused to stand idly by.

Faced with the potential of mass atrocities—and a call for help from the Libyan people—the United States and our friends and allies stopped Qaddafi's forces in their tracks. A coalition that included the United States, NATO and Arab nations persevered through the summer to protect Libyan civilians. And meanwhile, the courageous Libyan people fought for their own future and broke the back of the regime.

So this is a momentous day in the history of Libya. The dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted. And with this enormous promise, the Libyan people now have a great responsibility—to build an inclusive and tolerant and democratic Libya that stands as the ultimate rebuke to Qaddafi's dictatorship. We look forward to the announcement of the country's liberation, the quick formation of an interim government, and a stable transition to Libya's first free and fair elections. And we call on our Libyan friends to continue to work with the international community to secure dangerous materials, and to respect the human rights of all Libyans—including those who have been detained.

We're under no illusions—Libya will travel a long and winding road to full democracy. There will be difficult days ahead. But the United States, together with the international community, is committed to the Libyan people. You have won your revolution. And now, we will be a partner as you forge a future that provides dignity, freedom and opportunity.

For the region, today's events prove once more that the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end. Across the Arab world, citizens have stood up to claim their rights. Youth are delivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship. And those leaders who try to deny their human dignity will not succeed.

For us here in the United States, we are reminded today of all those Americans that we lost at the hands of Qaddafi's terror. Their families and friends are in our thoughts and in our prayers. We recall their bright smiles, their extraordinary lives, and their tragic deaths. We know that nothing can close the wound of their loss, but we stand together as one nation by their side.

For nearly eight months, many Americans have provided extraordinary service in support of our efforts to protect the Libyan people, and to provide them with a chance to determine their own destiny. Our skilled diplomats have helped to lead an unprecedented global response. Our brave pilots have flown in Libya's skies, our sailors have provided support off Libya's shores, and our leadership at NATO has helped guide our coalition. Without putting a single U.S. service member on the ground, we achieved our objectives, and our NATO mission will soon come to an end.

This comes at a time when we see the strength of American leadership across the world. We've taken out al Qaeda leaders, and we've put them on the path to defeat. We're winding down the war in Iraq and have begun a transition in Afghanistan.

And now, working in Libya with friends and allies, we've demonstrated what collective action can achieve in the 21st century.

Of course, above all, today belongs to the people of Libya. This is a moment for them to remember all those who suffered and were lost under Qaddafi, and look forward to the promise of a new day. And I know the American people wish the people of Libya the very best in what will be a challenging but hopeful days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Thank you, very much.

Ambassador Ivo Daalder gave these remarks via teleconference in Washington, DC

Secretary Hillary Clinton made these remarks in an interview with ABC's Christiane Amanpour in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Q. Let to turn to something more serious. You were actually in Libya earlier this week, and this week we all saw the video of the bloodied and dazed Muammar Qadhafi. We saw him now lying in a freezer while Libyans take a look at him. What was your reaction to that video, your gut reaction?

Secretary Clinton. Well, Christiane, obviously no one wants to see any human being in that condition, yet I know what a great relief it was to millions of Libyans that the past was finished, and now they can move into a different future without fear and intimidation and try to make up the lost time of 42 years to develop a country that has so much natural wealth and deserves to have a democracy and prosperity.

Q. Do you think it was obvious that that was going to happen to him, or do you think that he should have been treated any differently?

Secretary Clinton. Well, I think everyone would hope that he could have been captured and brought to justice, and I am very pleased that the Transitional National Council has called for an independent investigation along with the United Nations. I fully support that, because I think that the new Libya needs to start with accountability, the rule of law, a sense of unity and reconciliation in order to build an inclusive democracy so people who supported the former regime—unless they do have blood on their hands—should be safe and feel included in this new country.

Q. What about the bomber of Pan Am 104, al-Megrahi, who was freed and brought back to Libya. Do you want to see him recaptured, re-imprisoned, and if so, where? In Libya or in the United States or in Britain or Scotland?

Secretary Clinton. Christiane, I never thought he should have been released in the first place. I've raised this with the highest levels of the TNC. I will raise it with the new Libyan government. We want to see him returned to prison, preferably in Scotland where he was serving the sentence, but if not, elsewhere, because we thought it was a miscarriage of justice that he was released from the sentence that had been imposed for the ghastly bombing of Pan Am 103.

Q. Let's turn to Iraq. President Obama at the end of this week has announced that all troops will be out by the end of the year. It's well known the military wanted to keep 20 to 30,000 in and that the Iraqi forces, while they've made progress, really still need American logistical help. Are you not concerned that some of the gains that have been made are at risk?

Secretary Clinton. Well, Christiane, remember that it was President Bush who set the timetable in motion by agreeing with the Iraqis that all troops would be out by the end of this year. And of course, President Obama promised the American people that the troops would be out by the end of this year.

But we're always open to discussing with partner countries what their needs are. And as you know, we have a lot of presence in that region. So no, we're not going to have bases in Iraq, but we have bases elsewhere. We have security relations from Jordan to Colombia. So we're going to be present in Iraq, supporting the Iraqis, and continually discussing with them what their needs are. And no one should miscalculate our commitment to Iraq, most particularly Iran.

Q. Let's just move to Afghanistan, where you've also just from, and Pakistan. You have confirmed that you're talking to the Haqqani Network, also you're trying to get talks with the Taliban. Is the United States prepared and does the United States have the responsibility to make sure that when it leaves, if the Taliban is being brought back in, that it does not commit the same kind of atrocities against the women and others that it did in the past?

Secretary Clinton. Well, let me take each piece of that very quickly. We're going to fight where we need to fight. We will talk if there's an opportunity to talk. And we will keep building toward a more secure, stable future for Afghanistan. And to that end, we have redlines for any talking or any agreement. With whomever we talk, they have to abide by the following: They must renounce violence, they must renounce any and all ties to al-Qaida, and most importantly, for the future of Afghanistan, they must commit to abide by the laws and constitution of Afghanistan, which protect the rights of ethnic minorities and women. So I am very clear, as I was on my just recent visit to Afghanistan, that I am not going to support any peace agreement that gives up the hard-won rights of the Afghan people, and in particular, I have a commitment to the women of Afghanistan.

Q. I wonder if you can, finally, just give us what you know about the latest message from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, which has issued a warning to Americans that it has credible evidence of an imminent terror attacks against terrorists there?

Secretary Clinton. Well, as you know, Christiane, we follow this very closely, and it is our responsibility, first and foremost, to take care of Americans everywhere in the world. We've been getting threats from al-Shabaab against Americans and Westerners. So it's a very dangerous, uncertain situation, and we want to be sure that whatever information we have, we immediately present to Americans who live, work, or may be visiting in Kenya.

Q. So al-Shabaab, the al-Qaida offshoot, that's who's threatening?

Secretary Clinton. Well, I'm not going to get into specifics, but they've been public in their threats. You can look at coverage over the last weeks that they've threatened Kenya, they have threatened Westerners. So al-Shabaab remains a very serious threat, which is why we have taken action against them and are supporting further action.

Q. Secretary Clinton, thank you very much indeed.

Secretary Clinton. Thank you, Christiane. Good to talk to you.

Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis made these remarks at the U.N. General Assembly in New York

Ambassador DeLaurentis. Mr. President, We welcome Libya back to the Human Rights Council. Muammar Qadhafi's Libya was the only member of the HRC that has ever been suspended for gross and systematic violations of human rights, as called for in resolution 60/251 that created the Council. We commend the new Libyan government for the strong affirmation made in Geneva at the last Human Rights Council session, that commits Libya to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights” for all its people, as noted in OP9 of the HRC's founding resolution. We look forward to working closely with our Libyan colleagues to address critical human rights concerns in Libya and around the world.

We see a future in Libya with a new government that responds to the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people, respects their universal human rights, and adheres to Libya's international commitments and obligations. Backed by increasing international support, the Transitional National Council demonstrated a clean break from the Qadhafi legacy through its sincere willingness to protect and respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Libyan people and respond to their legitimate aspirations for governance that embraces human rights principles and gives its citizens a meaningful voice in how they are governed. We support that effort.

Nonetheless, we remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses and violations in Libya. The TNC has stated that it will work to ensure security and accountability according to the rule of law and in line with Libya's international obligations and commitments that protect all people in Libya regardless of nationality, race or political affiliation, and we have called on the TNC to hold Libya to those commitments. The TNC has cooperated fully with UNHCR, IOM, and NGOs as they have visited detention facilities to investigate reports of arbitrary detention and the abuse of Libyans and sub-Saharan Africans. We commend the TNC for its openness to working with the international community, and for calling upon the UN to provide technical assistance to allow it to protect human rights, particularly for individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, and to support transitional justice.

The UN has invaluable expertise in areas that will be crucially important in the days, weeks and months ahead including security sector reform, humanitarian affairs, political reconciliation, human rights assistance, constitutional development, transitional justice, and elections. It will be important to ensure that assistance in these and other areas is coordinated across the UN system. As the situation stabilizes, the United States will continue to be fully engaged with our international partners, particularly the UN, to ensure that the Libyan people have the support they need to build their new country.

Thank you.

Ambassador Susan E. Rice made these remarks in New York

Ambassador Rice. Thanks, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you especially for your exceptionally warm welcome. It's truly an honor to stand with you today in a free Libya.

You and the people of Libya know firsthand the terrible and grotesque crimes perpetrated by the previous regime. For 42 years, Qaddhafi brutalized the Libyan people, violated their basic rights, and denied them the fundamental freedoms that every human being deserves. I saw the horrible evidence of one of those crimes this morning with my own eyes.

When his forces stood on the doorstep of Benghazi and threatened to continue his murderous reign by committing an even greater slaughter, the Libyan people mustered their courage, the Arab League urged the international community to intervene, and the United Nations Security Council bore its responsibilities. The United States was proud to play a decisive role in crafting the historic resolution to authorize “all necessary measures” to protect the Libyan people, and I was personally proud to cast my vote on behalf of the United States of America. Through tremendous struggle and great sacrifice, Libyans have since taken charge of their destiny for the first time in decades.

I want to congratulate you Mr. Prime Minister and the people of Libya for wresting control of your future from a brutal dictator and charting a path to freedom that is an inspiration to many around the world. And I want to commend you and the NTC on your commitment to reconciliation, national unity, human rights, and the rule of law.

The United States and the international community were proud to stand with the Libyan people during those bleak days in March, and we are proud to stand with you now as you build your new democracy. It's crucial that you also stand together as Libyans, men and women, young and old. As President Obama has said, and I quote: “As Libyans rightly seek justice for past crimes, let it be done in a spirit of reconciliation and not reprisals and violence.”

We expect that the new government will make every effort to ensure a successful transition, and as you do the United States will continue to be a full partner, supporting Libya as you confront the many challenges ahead. The Prime Minister and I discussed the new government's priorities, including consolidating all the militias into a national army and police force, securing chemical and conventional weapons, caring for those who fought in the country's revolution, and establishing a new political system predicated on democratic principles and respect for human rights.

And the United States will continue to work with the international community, particularly the United Nations, to provide the expertise and assistance requested by Libya. The UN's advance planning allowed it to deploy as the regime collapsed, and its work will be crucial in supporting the provision of humanitarian assistance, in caring for victims, and supporting Libya's first elections in decades.

As the remarkable events of the past year have unfolded here and in the region, the United States has stood steadfast in support of a core set of principles: opposition to violence and repression and commitment to the universal rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, equality for men and women under the law, and the right of all people to choose their own leaders. Over the last nine months, we have seen an incredible demonstration of the Libyan people's determination to ensure that these universal principles guide their nation and their future. We look forward to continued strong partnership between the United States and the new free Libya. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

Ambassador Susan E. Rice made these remarks in New York via conference call

Ambassador Rice. Good afternoon, everyone. I've just gotten back from Tripoli where I had a chance to see firsthand the really remarkable progress that the people of Libya have made in just over a few months. February seems like a long time ago. Those of you who remember the emotional Security Council session in which the then Libyan Ambassador Shalgham plead for the UN to take action to save the lives of innocents would really be taken aback by the remarkable courage and resolve of the Libyan people that I saw today on display on the ground, and the great progress that's been made.

One of the reasons I wanted to go to Libya was to demonstrate to the Libyan people that the United States recognizes and appreciates the enormous sacrifices they've made in the cause of their freedom. And it was remarkably inspiring. And the United States will stand by the people of Libya as they seek to build their country back from scratch.

I want also to emphasize the importance of a transition to democracy that's just and inclusive for all the people of Libya. We were heartened to hear that the TNC plans to announce its new interim government tomorrow and were encouraged by the positive statements we've heard related to forming it in an inclusive fashion that will focus on improving security, revitalizing Libya's economy, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and also of course protecting and respecting human rights. I had the opportunity to meet with the TNC Chairman Jalil and the new Prime Minister Al-Keeb today and many of their colleagues to reinforce these points and I must say I was encouraged by my conversation.

I also went to Libya to emphasize the vital role of the United Nations. Months after the Security Council bore its responsibility to protect civilians by adopting Resolutions 1970 and 1973, Libya will again be relying on the United Nations to provide much needed expertise and assistance. I had the opportunity this afternoon to meet with Ian Martin, who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, and to discuss the ways that the mission there called UNSMIL will support Libya's rebuilding process. Well done advance planning on the part of the UN allowed its mission to deploy very rapidly as the regime was collapsing, and going forward its work will be crucial in supporting Libya's first elections in the months ahead.

And finally, I just wanted to mention two additional very sobering visits I made today. In the morning, I went to the site of a mass grave in Tripoli, just adjacent to the Khamis 32^nd Brigade headquarters. And then later in the afternoon I visited a sort of squatters camp for African workers, migrant workers, who have been displaced from their houses, traumatized, beaten, robbed, abused during the course of the violence. The camp is in a place called Sidi Bilal and hundreds of Africans—mainly West Africans from Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and elsewhere—were living in squalor and facing really uncertain prospects, whether they would be able to return home, which many of them hoped to do, or get the proper papers to be able to work again in Libya, which was the wish of another set. So while we've seen really promising signs of progress, there are nonetheless reminders everywhere of Libya's violent past in its remaining challenges including the crucial importance of protecting the rights of every Libyan and every person in Libya, regardless of their background or nationality. I want to just mention what I'm doing next. I will make one other stop tomorrow, which I'm not, for security reasons, able to describe in any depth but if you're interested you can speak to Mark Kornblau who can give you on an embargoed basis the sense of what that will entail.

Then on Wednesday…Tuesday night late and Wednesday, I will be arriving in Rwanda, where I'll have the opportunity for the first time in a while to review the situation there 17 years after the Rwandan genocide, and really to have the chance to see government, business, community, and civil society leaders who are living in the midst of truly astonishing change. Rwanda also has made extraordinary promise—progress—out of the rubble, in terms of women's empowerment, economic development, agriculture and manufacturing, and while there're real issues that remain with respect to democracy and with respect for human rights I will look forward to the opportunity to assess the progress that's been made in Rwanda. And while I'm there I'll have the chance to visit a variety of rural agriculture and other economic development sites—health clinics and the ecotourism industry—and to see how the people of Rwanda have really turned their country around. And finally on Wednesday I'll give a speech at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.

Q. Hello, my name is Dimitri Zlodorev with Itar-Tass news agency of Russia. My question is how you would characterize position of reconciliation on Libya and how you would characterize Russian-American cooperation on this direction? Thank you.

Ambassador Rice. Well I think it's probably better to ask Russia to characterize its position on Libya. It has obviously evolved. We note that Russia did not oppose Security Council Resolution 1973. And while it was at times critical of NATO's action, it nonetheless understood and expressed the need for Qadhafi to go and has, I think, in the wake of the transformation of the country and the new government, begun to look at ways to support Libya's development primarily through the United Nations but in a constructive fashion. And Russia and we have cooperated among other things on shared concern, which was probably shared in the international community, about the risk of the proliferation of conventional and chemical weapons. And we worked with Russia in the Council to adopt Resolution 2017 to address that question.

Moderator. Next question will come from Flavia Jackson with Bloomberg.

Q. Yes hi, I was wondering whether

you've had the opportunity to meet with Abdelhakim Belhadj and whether you had any concerns about him becoming Defense Minister, given his past?

Ambassador Rice. I have not, I did not have the opportunity to meet with him. My time on the ground was crammed and I didn't have that opportunity. But I do think we are looking very much forward to the Libyans forming an inclusive and representative government. And we've discussed that at length in our meetings with both Chairman Jalil and Prime Minister Al-Keeb. We stressed also the importance that we and many attached to that inclusiveness and representativeness reflecting the regional as well as ethnic and gender diversity of the country and I certainly hope that there will be more than one female in the new government. I don't want to speculate about any particular assignment going to any particular individual, but clearly the challenge of consolidating control over the militia is one that's top of mind among the leaders I met with in Tripoli and certainly something that we that we think is important to address, not only through the government formation process but also through active and well-supported demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants and the opportunity to integrate those who warrant integration into a national army and national police force.

Moderator. Next question will come from Anita Snow with Associated Press.

Q. I was wondering if you had the opportunity to talk to the NTC officials about the judicial process for Qaddafi's son and intelligence chief and whether you feel confident that they will be kept safe until they are tried and whether you have an opinion about whether they should be tried by the ICC?

Ambassador Rice. Thank you, Anita. Yes, of course, that did come up in both meetings and it's on top of many people's minds and certainly an issue we're focused on. First of all, let me say this: the TNC Chairman Jalil made a point of saying he could not confirm that Senussi was in custody. So that's the latest information I have and I will operate on that basis in answering the question. With respect to Saif al-Islam, the TNC has verified and is ensuring that he is safe, that he is being well treated, and they express repeatedly their determination to ensure that that remain the case. They are also deeply committed to a transparent and independent process to hold him accountable. The Special Prosecutor of the ICC Ocampo will be arriving in Libya perhaps as soon as tomorrow and there will be discussions and consultations between the officials in Tripoli and Ocampo about how they can work together to ensure that the processes set up meet the expectations of the Libyan people as well as the regular standards of accountability setup by the international community.

Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

Secretary Clinton. The formation of a new cabinet by the Transitional National Council is a significant step in Libya's transition to a true democracy that is inclusive and representative of all Libyans. The United States looks forward to working with the new interim government to address the key challenges that remain, such as protecting and respecting the rights of all Libyans, consolidating control over militias, ensuring a functioning and credible government and preparing for the transition to an elected government. The courage of the Libyan people and their dedication to freedom has inspired us all, and we must continue to work and make their dream a reality.