LONDON - As Libyan rebels gained further traction in Tripoli, world leaders have been quick to voice their support and urge long-time leader Muammar Qaddafi to step down.
But perhaps more important than the moral support from the international community is the material support the rebels stand to gain. British Prime Minister David Cameron said Libyan assets frozen during Qaddafi's reign would soon be released to aid the rebels establish order in the country.
Cameron said that Britain "soon will be able to release frozen assets that belong to the Libyan people," after imposing financial sanctions against Qaddafi's regime.
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He said Monday that events unfolding in Tripoli showed yet another nation in the Middle East was seeing the "end of dictatorship and oppression."
The European Union said on Monday that it also stands ready to help Libya's interim administration carry out reforms in the future.
"The first thing we need to do is send a team in to appraise the needs of the authorities," spokesman Michael Mann said. "The sort of thing we could offer ... is humanitarian assistance, support for democratization, help set up elections, institution-building and help with the economy."
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However, Mann said that the European Union's sanctions against the Libyan regime, including freezing the assets of the government and of state-run firms, will remain in force for the time being. "As soon as we judge that the time is right to help the population, we will change them," he said.
Security officials will have to assess the situation on the ground before the EU moves forward on the lifting of sanctions and providing more assistance, he said.
With events unfolding quickly and clashes reported Monday near Qaddafi's compound in Tripoli, leaders across the globe urged Qaddafi to avoid a bloodbath of his own people and turn himself in to the International Criminal Court.
U.S. President Barack Obama urged Qaddafi to accept reality and relinquish power. "The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Muammar Qaddafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end," the president said Sunday.
But perhaps more important than the moral support from the international community is the material support the rebels stand to gain. British Prime Minister David Cameron said Libyan assets frozen during Qaddafi's reign would soon be released to aid the rebels establish order in the country.
Cameron said that Britain "soon will be able to release frozen assets that belong to the Libyan people," after imposing financial sanctions against Qaddafi's regime.
Complete coverage: Anger in the Arab World
He said Monday that events unfolding in Tripoli showed yet another nation in the Middle East was seeing the "end of dictatorship and oppression."
The European Union said on Monday that it also stands ready to help Libya's interim administration carry out reforms in the future.
"The first thing we need to do is send a team in to appraise the needs of the authorities," spokesman Michael Mann said. "The sort of thing we could offer ... is humanitarian assistance, support for democratization, help set up elections, institution-building and help with the economy."
Rebels cheer in Tripoli, but Qaddafi lingers
The unclear fate of Libya's 4 most-wanted men
Concerns abound for post-Qaddafi leadership
However, Mann said that the European Union's sanctions against the Libyan regime, including freezing the assets of the government and of state-run firms, will remain in force for the time being. "As soon as we judge that the time is right to help the population, we will change them," he said.
Security officials will have to assess the situation on the ground before the EU moves forward on the lifting of sanctions and providing more assistance, he said.
With events unfolding quickly and clashes reported Monday near Qaddafi's compound in Tripoli, leaders across the globe urged Qaddafi to avoid a bloodbath of his own people and turn himself in to the International Criminal Court.
U.S. President Barack Obama urged Qaddafi to accept reality and relinquish power. "The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Muammar Qaddafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end," the president said Sunday.
