Nato will wrap up its military operation in Libya by the end of October, the Western alliance's secretary general has said.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a press conference on Friday evening that after seven months Nato's Unified Protector mission would be likely be ended by October 31.
"We have met today with our operational partners to asses the situation in Libya. We agreed that our operations are very close to completion and we have taken a preliminary decision to end operation Unified Protector on the 31st of October," he said.
"We will take a formal decision early next week, in the meantime I will consult closely with the UN and the NTC.
"We agreed that Nato will wind down the operation ... during which period Nato will monitor the situation and retain the capacity to respond to threats to civilians if needed."
Rasmussen said he was "very proud" of what Nato had achieved and said the alliance had "prevented a massacre" and saved countless lives.
"We created the conditions for the people of Libya to determine their own future," he said. "Their courage and determination in the cause of freedom is a inspiration to the world."
He said the Nato mission, which saw jets from Britain, France, the United States and others attack Colonel Gaddafi's forces as they fought back against the rebels, was a "remarkable success".
"We did what wesaid we would do, and now is the time for the Libyan people to take their destiny fully into their own hands. To build a new inclusive Libya based on democracy, reconciliation human rights and the rule of law."
He added: This is a special moment in history. It shows that freedom is the strongest force in the world."
But Rasmussen was asked whether the way Gaddafi had been killed left a "bad taste" in his mouth.
He told journalists: "I would expect the new authorities in Libya to live up fully to the basic principles of rule of law, respect for human rights - including full transparency."