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Libyan Revolution marked in The Gambia

Sep 13, 2010, 2:51 PM | Article By: Nfamara Jawneh

The Bureau of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Libyan Embassy) in The Gambia last Thursday September 9th marked the 41st anniversary of the Al-Fateh Revolution.

The festivities in Banjul included a reception held at the Jerma Beach Hotel in Kololi in celebration of the 1st September 1969 Revolution led by leader brother Maummar El-Ghaddafi.

The celebration was graced by senior government officials, diplomats, Libyans and other nationals living in The Gambia. A cross-section of Gambians including graduates of Jamahiriya attended the occasion.

Addressing the celebrants, Prof. Dr. Ali Muhammad Dukaly the Chief Libyan diplomat in Banjul who is the General Secretary of the People's Bureau (ambassador) highlighted the achievements registered by the famous Libyan revolution.

According to him, the revolution has brought successive victories for Libya and her people.

"The revolution was victorious! In a span of one year, the revolution was able to eliminate the reactionary regime and the foreign occupying military bases in Libya. The revolution moved to achieve international dimension within its Arab orbit, then the African and international orbits respectively."

The Libyan citizens, he continued, by virtue of the revolution have realised their freedom, and became victorious within the Jamahiriya theory of the authority of the people, whereby the people decide their popular congresses and the people's committees implement the decision of the Jamahiriya -the people.

"The Jamahiriya is not a sultanate, a monarchy or a republic, but it is the rule of the Jamahiriya-the people," he said.

The world is still plagued by the problems of governance, but we in the great beloved Jamahiriya have surpassed that problematic level, said Dukaly.

Ambassador Dukaly also spoke on the bilateral relations between Libya and The Gambia, while saluting President Yahya Jammeh for the successes of the July 22nd Revolution, and for his critical role in the realization of the African Union.

Dr. Momodou Tangara, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, congratulated the people of Libya on the occasion of the Al-Fateh Revolution.

"This amiable occasion is a reflection once more of the personal and close friendship between our two great leaders, as well as the bonds of solidarity, amity and fruitful cooperation that exist between the governments and people of the Republic of The Gambia and the Great Socialist People?s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya."

He added that the relations between our two people have become enhanced with time to the point that Gambians and Libyans now consider themselves as brothers and sisters.

"We can all bear witness that the Al-Fateh Revolution has provided the people of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya the opportunity to benefit from the development achievements initiated by the government of the great leader of the revolution," said Dr.Tangara.

He also acknowledged Libya's relentlessness efforts in pursuit of Africa?s development. "The great leader's recent peace efforts in some parts of Africa are clear manifestations of his belief in the maintenance of regional peace and stability through dialogue such as manifested during the recently concluded AU summit in Kampala, Uganda.

It is also an indication of his efforts in promoting regional cohesion through a more constructive participation in multilateral arrangements and mediation of conflicts that have divested our continent."

Dr. Tangara noted that the relationship between the Republic of The Gambia and Libya has been mutually beneficial, since the resumption of our diplomatic ties.

"Over the years, we in The Gambia have seen Libya's intervention in the crucial sectors of our economy, particularly in religion, education, culture and agriculture, to name a few."

The chief Gambian diplomat praised the Libyan Revolution for bringing unprecedented achievements to the people of the oil-rich Arab nation.