Libya celebrates its 60th anniversary for first time

Libya has celebrated its 60’s Independence Day for the first time for 42 years Tripoli / Cairo – Emad Agag / Akram Ali Libya has celebrated its 60’s Independence Day for the first time for forty two years, as late Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed last October, used to ban celebrations on that day, replacing it with September 1, as Libya’s “Revolution Day”.
The cabinet office stated that the Transitional National Assembly declared Saturday 24/12/2011 an official holiday across Libya, in the memory of Libya’s Independence Day. A publication circulated to all ministries by the cabinet stated that “Ministers and officials in public authorities that require incessant work are to do necessary arrangements to assign employees to carry out their duties and conduct work throughout the day,” whereas the PM and cabinet members congratulated the Libyan people on the occasion and wished the best for the country.
Today, Libyan cities are holding celebrations in the memory of their Independence for the first time in 42 years (in which Gaddafi ruled Libya), putting up decorations in the streets and squares in a festive setting.
It is noted that the flag of independence was raised for the first time in Benghazi this year, during the February 17 Revolution, to become the flag of revolutionary Libyans who fought Gaddafi’s regime and forces for 9 months, until Gaddafi’s death and the declaration of Libya’s liberation.
Observers believe that December occupies a unique place in the hearts and minds of Libyans, as it is known for Libya’s independence and the establishment of the modern Libyan state 60 years ago.
King Idriss announced the independence of Libya for the first time in 1951, which was attained by extensive efforts and negotiations with the United Nations to finally proclaim it as the United Libyan Kingdom, to which Idris I was king.
According to news reports, colonialists were setting plots to gain control over Libya, where the UK and Italy agreed to the Bevin-Sforza plan, 11/3/1949, which imposed Italian custody over Tripoli, British custody over Cyrenaica, and French custody over Fezzan, stating that Libya was to be granted its independence after ten years from signing the plan. The relevant committee in UN had agreed to the plan, 13/5/1949, which was submitted to the General Assembly of the United Nations for vote. However, only few votes were in favor of the plan, due to painstaking negotiations carried out by a Libyan delegation of activists that demanded the unity and independence of Libya.
The General Assembly of the United Nations passed resolution no. 289 on 21/11/1941, which granted Libya’s independence before 1/1/1952. A committee was formed to ensure the implementation of the UN resolution, and to guarantee Libya’s unity and the transformation of authority to an independent Libyan government. In October 1950, a constituent assembly was formed of 60 members, each 20 members representing the three major regions of Libya. In November 25 of the same year, the constituent assembly convened to decide on the form of the Libyan state, and despite Tripoli’s representatives’ initial objection to a federal system, a consensus was reached, and the constituent assembly was assigned to draft the constitution.
Following the constitution, Idris as-Senussi was selected king of the United Libyan Kingdom, with a federal system which includes three states: Tripoli, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. Despite colonialists’ plots and attempts after 1951 to keep Libya divided and weak under a federal system, the Libyan people were able to amend their constitution in 26/4/1963, through their representatives in the constituent assembly, to form a unified Libyan state, removing all obstacles that stood in the way of Libya’s unity, and declaring Tripoli the capital of the Kingdom of Libya.
In a separate context, former General Coordinator of the Egyptian-Libyan relations Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam denounced all accusations against him published in some papers and websites, and denying his acquisition of any authority since his departure from Libya following the revolution against Gaddafi’s regime (his cousin). He noted that he was the first Libyan official to leave the country, and praised the revolution, which he referred to as “Revolution of Independence”, reminding others that his own father was one of its initiators.
Gaddaf al-Dam issued a press statement, copied to ‘Arabstoday’, threatening to take all necessary legal procedures against those who promoted allegations against him saying “In the recent period I followed up with shows and websites… where guests, encouraged by hosts, claimed that I sell Libyan investments in Egypt.” He added “some of them accuse me of recruiting mercenaries… among other faulty and irresponsible statements… which contradict with basic ethics of media, law, and the goals of the Libyan youth revolution, which aimed for a better Libya,” stressing that “such behaviors deviate it [the revolution] from its path, particularly the talk about the 60 billion that I have, and selling the Sheraton hotel and a project of 30000 feddans.”
Former general coordinator of the Egyptian-Libyan relations continued in his statement “I had previously issued a statement on 24/4/2011 through Asharq al-Awsat clearly denying all of this, before the fall of Tripoli. In addition, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Armed Forces has issued communiqué no. 39, 25/4/2011, responding to these accusations.” He added “throughout my career, I have been an officer in the armed forces, then turned to international relations, thus I was never in charge of Libyan investments at any point, not in Egypt or any other place. Even when I was general coordinator of the Egyptian Libyan relations, I had no authority to buy or sell. Fellows in the Libyan Transitional Assembly and the Libyan investments in Egypt and Tripoli are quite aware of this.”
Gaddaf al-Dam said “I was the first to quit the regime and to leave Libya, so even if I had any authority; it dropped as soon as I left, and I was not appointed again to be able to sell.” He finally concluded “I am surprised by the insistence of some people to nibble at my flesh, and I’m more surprised by the silence of officials in the transitional assembly, instead of saying or defending the truth. We are talking about a new state, and I expected after Tripoli’s fall the [issuance] of an apology for the accusations held against me without evidence.”