Following yesterday’s historic ceremony transferring power from the National Transition Council to the National Congress, elected on June 7, France offers its warmest congratulations to the newly sworn-in Libyan authorities.

It applauds the efforts of the National Transition Council and particularly its president, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, which made it possible for the country to embark on a democratic transition and to turn the page on dictatorship.

It fully trusts the newly elected officials to complete this process, which should culminate in the establishment of a democratic, constitutional state respectful of human rights, in keeping with the aspirations of the Libyan people.

France remains fully committed to supporting the Libyan transition and to providing its assistance to the country’s legitimate new authorities.