British Prime Minister David Cameron and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy were welcomed by jubilant crowds Thursday in Tripoli and Benghazi as Libyan Provisional authority forces advanced on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte.

Mr. Cameron told cheering Libyans that they are an “inspiration to the world” and that Britons salute their courage. Mr. Sarkozy earned the loudest cheers from the crowds in the birthplace of the country's rebel movement, Benghazi. He told them that France believes in a “united Libya, not a divided Libya.”

The two leaders are the first foreign heads of state to visit the nation since the ousting of the longtime Libyan leader, Mr. Gadhafi.

Earlier Thursday, at a press conference in Tripoil, Mr. Cameron called on Mr. Gadhafi and his followers to “give up.” The British leader also promised to help hunt down the former Libyan leader and bring him to justice.

Mr. Cameron and Mr. Sarkozy flew first into Tripoli, where they held talks with Libya's interim government, including with National Transitional Council Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

Mr. Sarkozy said as he arrived in Libya that he hopes for “democracy, peace and reconciliation” in the country. Mr. Cameron also said Britain will look to unfreeze an additional $19 billion in Libyan assets with United Nations approval.

Britain and France pushed for NATO action to protect civilians against forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi, and the French were the first to recognize the NTC as the official representative of the Libyan people. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Sarkozy said Thursday the mission will continue until Libyans are no longer in danger.

Mr. Sarkozy said at the new conference Thursday that France is not looking for any preferential treatment for their actions.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also scheduled to visit Libya this week as part of a North African tour.