(CNN) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta expressed confidence in Libya's transition to democracy Saturday in the first visit to the country by a Pentagon chief.
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib in Tripoli, Panetta paid tribute to the efforts of the Libyan people in overthrowing the regime of strongman Moammar Gadhafi -- but warned there was more work to come.
"This will be a long and difficult transition, but I have confidence that you will succeed in realizing the dream of a representative government and a more secure and prosperous future," he said.
"You will have in the United States as committed and willing friend and partner."
The blood spilled by the people of Libya had earned them the right to determine their own future, he said.
"There is no doubt that you will confront some difficult challenges -- bringing together all of the revolutionary forces that fought from west to east, securing weapons stockpiles, professionalizing the army and police, and developing the institutions of a free and representative government," he said.
Panetta also thanked the Libyan people for "being a source of inspiration and hope for the entire region and the world," and said the United States looked forward to building a close partnership with the government in Tripoli.
"The torch of freedom that has passed from nation to nation in the Middle East and North Africa burns brightly here in Libya," he said.
Asked about the transitional government's efforts to bring the country's many militias under control, Panetta said he was confident it was taking the right steps.
" A lot of young people were a part of this and I think the goal of the prime minister is try to embrace that energy and try to direct it in a way that can help it be productive for Libya," he told reporters.
El-Keib said it was a serious issue but with the right programs in place, he believed the militias could be persuaded to give up their arms.
"We know these are not simple issues we deal with but almost certain can take care of them over time," he said.
Panetta also held talks with his Libyan counterpart, Col. Osama Juwaili, during his brief visit but said the pair had not discussed specific ways in which the U.S. military could help Libya.
It was forces under the command of Defense Minister Juwaili that captured Gadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, last month.
Before departing Libya, Panetta attended a ceremony at a Protestant cemetery in Tripoli to honor 13 U.S. servicemen killed in action in the first overseas war undertaken by the United States.
USS Intrepid was destroyed in Tripoli harbor in 1804 as it took action against pirate vessels from North Africa in what were known as the Barbary Wars, according to the U.S. Naval Historical Center.
The bodies floated ashore after the Intrepid sank and were dragged through the streets before being laid to rest in the cemetery.
Panetta toured the small site, stopping to read headstones along the way, before laying a wreath at the graves of the 13 American sailors. He also placed a U.S. coin on a gravestone.
He was accompanied on the visit by Gen. Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command.
Libya's interim Cabinet was appointed less than a month ago to run the country during its transition to democracy, following the fall of the Gadhafi regime.
In the space of a few months, it must restore order, draft a new constitution and be ready to lead the country into democratic elections.
Panetta's visit came a day after the United States rolled back most of the sanctions it had imposed on Libya during the Gadhafi regime and released all government and central bank funds within U.S. jurisdiction.
"This measure will allow the Libyan government to access most of its worldwide holdings, and assist Prime Minister el-Keib's efforts to oversee the country's reconstruction and transition," the Pentagon chief said.
The U.N. Security Council also lifted sanctions Friday on the Central Bank of Libya and the Libyan Foreign Bank, moves that were warmly received by the United States and Britain.
Loading weather data ...
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|