Libya's Jibril calls for grand coalition

Libya's wartime rebel prime minister Mahmoud Jibril called for the some 150 political parties in the North African nation to back the creation of a grand coalition government as election results were expected on Monday.

Joyful Libyans turned out in large numbers on Saturday for a largely peaceful national assembly election, their first free national poll after 42 years of Muammar Gadhafi that went ahead despite widespread fears of violence.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday that China welcomes the parliamentary election held in Libya over the weekend, describing it as an "important step" in the country's political transition process.

"We hope Libya can achieve long-term stability, prosperity and development at an early date," Liu said, adding that China will make joint efforts with the new Libyan government to boost relations between the two countries.

First official results were due on Monday. Jibril declined comment on speculation his own National Forces Alliance of around 60 parties was leading Islamic groups, including the political wing of Libya's Muslim Brotherhood.

"We extend an honest call for a national dialogue to come altogether in one coalition, under one banner ... This is an honest and sincere call for all political parties operating today in Libya," Jibril said.

"In yesterday's election there was no loser or winner ... Whoever wins, Libya is the real winner," he told a late-night news conference on Sunday.

Jibril is a fluent English-speaker who was the main point man of the rebel National Transitional Council with Western backers including France, Britain and the United States.

He rejected descriptions of the alliance as secular and liberal, saying a commitment to tenets of Islamic law was among its core principles - a comment which could facilitate efforts to form ties with more overtly Islamist parties.

"The door is open to dialogue now for all Libyans," said Ali Rhouma El-Sibai, head of the hardline Islamic Al-Assala Group. "But no agreement is possible until we know what is on the table. We cannot compromise our principles."

Reuters-Xinhua