UN chief Ban Ki-moon says deposed leader's death "marks a historic transition for Libya".

                                            UN chief Ban Ki-moon

Colonel Gaddafi's whereabouts had been largely unknown until his death in his hometown of Sirte on Thursday [Reuters
Libya's ousted leader had been on the run since National Transitional Council (NTC) forces captured the capital Tripoli and forced him to flee in August.

Gaddafi had vowed to die defending his country and railed against NATO's attacks that helped boost the military campaign against his regime. Below are reactions from world leaders to his death

	UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon  This day marks a historic transition for Libya. In the coming days, we will witness scenes of celebration as well as grief for those who lost so much. Now is the time for all Libyans to come together. Libyans can only realise the promise of the future for national unity and reconciliation. Combatants on all sides must lay down their arms in peace. This is the time for healing and rebuilding, for generosity of spirit, not for revenge. US Vice-president Joe Biden The Libyan people have gotten rid of a dictator. NATO got it right. The European Union The death of Gaddafi marks the end of an era of despotism, said Herman Van Rompuy, the bloc's president. That Gaddafi died in a raid in Sirte means an end also to the repression from which the Libyan people have suffered for too long. British prime minister David Cameron People in Libya today have an even greater chance after this news of building themselves a strong and democratic future. Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi Now the war is over. Sic transit gloria mundi [Thus passes the glory of the world] French President Nicolas Sarkozy The disappearance of Muammar Gaddafi is a major step forward in the battle fought for more than eight months by the Libyan people to liberate themselves from the dictatorial and violent regime imposed on them for more than 40 years. Germany chancellor Angela Merkel With this, a bloody war comes to an end, which Gaddafi led against his own people. Libya must now quickly take further resolute steps towards democracy and make the achievments so far of the Arab Spring irreversible. The African Union The Union said it had lifted its suspension of Libya's membership and said in a statement it would authorise the current authorities in Libya to occupy the seat of Libya in the AU and its organs. US Senator John MacCain The United States, along with our European allies and Arab partners, must now deepen our support for the Libyan people, as they work to make the next phase of their democratic revolution as successful as the fight to free their country. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the US Congress Libyans are safer now after Gaddafi's death and the Arab world is breaking free. But never celebrate death of anyone, even bad people. Source:Aljazeera