Sonbola International Friendship Club, the Tripoli-based organisation, held marathons and fun runs on 31 May, under the theme Quit Smoking and Run, to encourage Libyans to curb smoking. 31 May was International Quit Smoking Day.

Sonbola International Friendship Society is an international organisation promoting culture, education, science and relations between countries, under the patronage of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of the Great El-Fateh Revolution.

Three marathons and fun runs were held on 30 and 31 May for the fourth consecutive year, attracting hundreds of children and adults alike, professional, semi-professional and amateur runners. Members of the Tripoli foreign community were invited to join Libyan athletes in saying no to smoking.

Daniel Bonello, First Secretary at the Embassy of Malta, and Diego Galea, a Maltese national, participated for Malta in the fun run on 31 May, which started and finished at Tripoli’s central Green Square, passing through the seafront and the city centre.

The activity was also attended by Dr Joseph Cassar, Ambassador of Malta, and Ms Maria Calleja, First Secretary.