Reacting to the killing of Libya 's long-standing ruler Muammar Gaddafi, India Thursday hoped for return of stability to the North African country and offered assistance to the people of Libya in "their political transition and rebuilding of the country", according to an Indian foreign ministry spokesman.

"We have seen reports that Col. Gaddafi has been killed in Sirte, Libya. The strife in Libya and the suffering of its people has been a matter of concern to us," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash waa said.

"We hope that peace and stability would soon return to Libya," he added.

"India's relations with the people of Libya are deep and long standing. At this juncture, India reiterates its readiness to extend all possible assistance to the people of Libya in their political transition and rebuilding of the country," Prakash said.