Ellison: Gaddafi’s death signals Libya’s transition to democracy

Both Reps. Michele Bachmann and Keith Ellison weighed in on the death of Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi on Thursday, expressing relief that the Libyan people no longer have to live under a violent dictator.

Gaddafi was killed by rebels on Wednesday after the found him in a sewage tunnel.

Bachmann released a short statement on her Facebook page. “For more than 40 years, we lived with the Muammar al-Qaddafi regime and the atrocities he orchestrated,” she said. “The world is a better place without [Gaddafi].”

Bachmann said in a separate post that she hopes Gaddafi’s death ”will also bring to an end our military involvement there, something I opposed from its beginning.”

Ellison released a statement that called for restraint.

“The death of Moammar Gaddafi marks the end of an era of repression and tyranny for the Libyan people. While we do not celebrate the death of anyone, we do feel relieved that the people of Libya no longer have to live under a violent dictator,” he said. “The defeat of Gaddafi strengthens the country’s transition to democracy. With Gaddafi’s last remaining stronghold of Surt liberated, Libya can now focus on securing its borders and holding national elections. The people of Libya should know that they have a partner in the United States as they move forward to join the community of democratic nations.”

President Obama also spoke about Gaddafi’s death at a press conference in the Rose Garden.

“This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya who now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya,” Obama said in the White House Rose Garden.