“What Norway can do is to use some of its experience as an energy nation regarding how we have ordered our legislation and systems to become an oil and gas nation. [Interim Libyan Prime Minister], Mahmoud Jibril and others have expressed strong interest in this, and we shall now look at whether we can share this in a meaningful way,” he told NRK.

Norway contributed six of its F-16 fighter jets to the bombing enforcing UNSCR1973, and Guma El-Gamaty, Libyan National Transitional Council’s European spokesperson, has already indicated Norway could get favourable treatment for oil concessions in return. Earlier reports indicate international peacekeeper and talks broker Norway has already earned considerable sums on the conflict.

Yesterday’s news of the bloody end to 42 years of dictatorship “marks a historic turning point for Libya,” said the Foreign Minister in a press statement, continuing, “Gaddafi’s reluctance to engage in dialogue with his own people has helped to perpetuate a conflict that has caused great suffering among the civilian population.”

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen added his congratulations to the successful implementation of “the historic mandate of the United Nations to protect the people of Libya.”

“Colonel Gaddafi’s rule of fear has finally come to an end. Libya can draw a line under a long dark chapter in its history and turn over a new page. Now the people of Libya can truly decide their own future,” he declared.

Looking to what is currently and uncertain future for Libya, Foreign Minister Støre pledged, “Norway will support Libya in the important reconciliation and reconstruction efforts that must now get under way. This must be a broad, inclusive process in order to lay the best possible basis for a unified and democratic Libya.

“We expect the National Transitional Council to respect international law and humanitarian law in its further efforts to ensure national unity,” he concluded.

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