The NATO-led operation in Libya will continue until the defeat of forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday.
"So long as the Libyan people are being threatened, the NATO-led mission to protect them will continue," Obama said at a high-level UN conference on Libya . "And those still holding out must understand-the old regime is over, and it is time to lay down your arms and join the new Libya."
Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) on Monday agreed on the makeup of an interim cabinet. NTC current chief Mahmoud Jibril has been named interim prime minister. There will be a total of 22 ministries in the new government.
The North African state's new flag flew at UN headquarters for the first time since Gaddafi was deposed. The flag was used from 1951 until Gaddafi introduced his own flag in 1977.
"For Libya this is a historic day," UN Secretary Genera Ban Ki-moon said.
Obama also said the U.S. would reopen its embassy in Libya.
"Our ambassador is on his way back to Tripoli, and this week, the American flag that was lowered before our embassy was attacked will be raised again, over a reopened American embassy," the U.S. president said.
Massive demonstrations against longtime leader Gaddafi broke out in Libya in mid-February. The international NATO-led military operation began on March 19 following a UN resolution on "targeted measures" to protect civilians.
