The Nigerian government has urged the Libyan Transitional National Council to be magnanimous in victory, and to pursue a policy of "no victor, no vanquished" in its post-conflict reconciliation and nation building.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Voila Onwuliri addressed a news conference on Tuesday against the backdrop of the fall of Tripoli, calling on the new leaders to establish an all-inclusive and broad-based administration, whose urgent task should be to establish a credible democratic transition to civil rule.

Onwuliri, who stressed the need to prevent further loss of lives in the North African country, urged Muammar Gaddafi to take the path of honor and relinquish power immediately and allow the people of Libya to decide the future of their country.

She said Nigeria , through the African Union and UN, had been engaged with various processes seeking a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

"Indeed as a member of the UN Security Council , Nigeria supported the UN Resolution 1973 aimed at providing humanitarian protection to the innocent Libyans," she added.

In an earlier statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja , the government said the country stands ready to work with the democratic forces in Libya in this transition process.

"The federal government urges the new leaders in Libya to ensure magnanimity in victory in order to build the foundation for a new and democratic order in the country where respect for human rights and the rule of law would prevail," it stated.

While acknowledging the increased gains recorded by the Libyan Transitional Council, it expressed regrets over the loss of lives, and the hardship that the struggle caused the people.

The statement also acknowledged the unmistakable message from the battle for the control of Tripoli, adding that the people of Libya were anxious and determined to take their destiny in their own hands.

In February, protesters took to the streets in Libya demanding an end to Gaddafi's 42-year regime, a move fuelled by the uprising in North Africa which saw the removal of Tunisian and Egyptian presidents.