Nordic leaders Thursday welcomed the demise of former Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, describing it as the end of a "dark chapter" in the North African country's history, dpa reported.
"This is a victory for the Libyan people who rose up against it, a victory for all of us who believed in action from the international community, and a victory for all Swedes who contributed to it," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said.
Reinfeldt said the new Libya would need humanitarian aid and other assistance "to build a new civic society."
The foreign minister of neighbouring Denmark, Villy Sovndal, said a "dark chapter has ended in Libya's history."
"Libya can now take important steps to freedom and democracy," he added.
In Norway, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the events were a historic turning point and reminded that "Gaddafi's refusal to enter into dialogue with his people contributed to a long conflict that caused big suffering for the civilian population."
Denmark, Norway and Sweden contributed to the NATO-led no-fly zone over Libya.