Spotlight: Libyans long for peace on 66th anniversary of independence

by Mahmoud Darwesh and Nawas Darraji

TRIPOLI, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- This Sunday marks the 66th anniversary of Libya's independence. Libyans were yearning for peace and hope to end the current state of insecurity and political division.

Amani Saeed, a 25-year-old medical student, is optimistic that the independence anniversary would see the end of violence and the beginning of peace that has been missing for years.

"We felt that we have lost important years recently. We want to make up for this by resolving differences through dialogue and non-violence. Conflicts have killed and displaced our families, and forced our sons to pay a price," she told Xinhua.

"The Libyans are fed up with the language of arms and want peace in 2018. They want all wars between tribes and cities to end and the social fabric to be strong again in Libya," said Dalal Meftah, a social worker.

"The anniversary of our independence was a historic moment that everyone must commemorate and make it an opportunity to come together. Everyone is afraid, it is time to make things right," she explained.

Both of Libya's western and eastern authorities expressed hope that the anniversary of independence would be an opportunity for reconciliation and tolerance among Libyans.

Najah Hameed, who is related to the late King Idris of Libya during the early independence days of Libya, said quoting the King's saying that "maintaining independence is harder than gaining it."

"We must resolve the situation quickly. Peace is our only way to coexist. We must reject the culture of violence in resolving the dispute. We must unite our efforts and ideas to save our country, for which our ancestors gave thousands of precious lives to keep united," She said.

The late King Idris as-Senussi, the first ruler of the country after independence, ruled Libya until former leader Muammar Gaddafi led a coup against him.

"The road to peace in the country is very long. It can only be achieved by holding a general national conference that includes all representatives of Libyan factions," said Munir Al-Harari, a 45-year-old Libyan engineer.

"When the country gained independence in the early 1950s, a state of harmony and understanding prevailed between Libyan cities. The harmony was based on the concept of tribes. Life was governed by tribal ties in a way that showed everyone's love for the social role in building the state and its institutions, despite the prevailing poverty," Al-Harari told Xinhua.

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid political division and unrest.

The United States is mediating between rival parties in Libya in order to end the political crisis, through an action plan that includes amendment of the current Libyan political agreement and holding presidential and parliamentary elections next year. Enditem