Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki welcomed the news about the death of Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi Thursday, and congratulated the Libya's National Transitional Council for getting rid of "a tyrant" who was like former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
"We congratulate our Libyan brothers and the National Transitional Council on the occasion of getting rid of the tyrant Gaddafi, who ruled Libya with oppression," Maliki's office said in a statement, dpa reported.
"The similarity of the fate of tyrants in Iraq and Libya and elsewhere is proof that the will of the people can defeat dictators, no matter how long they have been in power," the statement said.
Maliki wished stability and prosperity for the new Libya.
Gaddafi and his two sons Saif al-Islam and Mutassim Gaddafi were killed earlier Thursday by the council's fighters in Sirte, 200 kilometers east of the capital Tripoli.
Saddam Hussein was ousted in a US-led invasion of 2003. His two sons, Audi and Qussay, were killed by US troops in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in the same year after a tipster betrayed their hideout.
Saddam Hussein was executed three years later by an Iraqi court for crimes against Humanity.
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