“In a very significant gesture Signor Berlusconi crossed over to embrace Libyan nationals who had suffered from Italian aggression during the invasion of Libya. Then hand in hand, Col. Gaddafi and Signor Berlusconi went down near the statue and shook hands with guests seated in the front rows, among them a group of African chiefs”
The current visit that Libyan Leader Col. Mu’Ammar El Qathafi is paying to Rome has aroused quite an interest mainly for the particular style under which it is being carried out. A Bedouin desert tent set up in the grounds of the Libyan Embassy in Rome, girl soldiers as bodyguards, meeting with youth and talks on Islam have become synonymous with the style and itinerary of the Libyan Leader’s visits abroad.
But this visit is also portentous in significance. Col. Gaddafi’s visit in Rome is taking place to commemorate the second anniversary since a very significant agreement that had been reached and had been signed in Benghazi, Libya. This agreement had sealed the friendship that now exists after recent developments and an increase of relations between Italy and Libya
Italy’s connections with Libya date quite a long time as both countries are situated in the Mediterranean sea and not that much far from each other. Nationals from both countries were involved in trade, commerce and fishing. They had come to know each other, had become friends and everything was done in peace and friendship. But then later on in recent history, Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini had decided to arbitrarily invade Libya without reason because he just wanted to make Libya a colony of Italy. The Libyans, a usual peaceful people, tried bravely to resist the Italian invaders who responded with the might of modern armoury. The invasion at times was stalled and the Italian military campaign produced a number of atrocities. Libyans were deported to Italy to work in Italian factories, fields and as servants with families. The majority never returned to Libya. Other Libyan nationals were herded into concentration camps set up on Libya’s vast territory. Finally the Italian invasion force was withdrawn but only after the Italians had set up an Italian civic community which was itself finally expelled from Libya, when Col. Mu’Ammar Gaddafi took over the country in the First of September Revolution of 1969.
All this now is in the past as two years ago Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi formally apologised for all the atrocities and sufferings incurred by the Italian invasion force on the Libyan people. Not only but Signor Berlusconi also presented a substantial sum of money in compensation mainly in machinery and services. The ceremony commemorating all this and the signing of the relevant documents was held in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city on Saturday 30 August 2008. The event was held on that day because 1 September of that year on which date is usually celebrated the First of September Revolution, happened to be the start of Ramadan.
The occasion was celebrated in grand style. We journalists were flown out of Tripoli and arrived at Benghazi airport, a few minutes before the landing of an Italian military plane which brought over from Italy a marble statue of Venus which had been stolen from Libya by the Italian invasion forces but which was being returned to Libya as a sign of friendship and it was cheered all the way as it was enthusiastically carried on a large fork-lifter around the airport.
Later Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi himself arrived at Benghazi airport. He passed on the red carpet through two lines of the military guard of honour and later met the Press in the VIP lounge.
In the afternoon, Libyan dignitaries and others including the diplomatic corps, (among them the then Maltese Ambassador to Libya H.E. Dr Joe Cassar), and a group of African chiefs, assembled in the front garden of what was formerly the Palace occupied by the Italian Governor during the occupation of Libya. On the artificial grass in the middle stood the statue of Venus on a podium. Some time later under strict security the Libyan Leader Col. Mu’Ammar Gaddafi and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made their appearance.
As they sat down at their table, Signor Berlusconi opened the occasion by saying how happy he was that this event of renewed friendship between Italy and Libya was taking place. He said that both countries had agreed to forget about the past and start anew and to look to the future in friendship and coordination. Signor Berlusconi also hailed the Libyan Leader for his efforts for world peace and lauded his efforts in helping to unite the states of Africa. On his part Col. Gaddafi reciprocated to the speech of the Italian Prime Minister and declared that now both countries could move forward together for their own good and for the whole world. Then they both signed the official agreement after which they shook hands and embraced each other.
In a very significant gesture, Signor Berlusconi crossed over to embrace Libyan nationals who had suffered from Italian aggression during the invasion of Libya. Then hand in hand, Col. Gaddafi and Signor Berlusconi went down near the statue and shook hands with guests seated in the front rows among them a group of African chiefs. People rushed to meet them but were held back by security forces.
At the end of the occasion a number of Libyan horsemen in national costume and regalia paraded in front of the Palace.
In the evening, the Libyan Leader and the Italian Prime Minister along with honoured guests attended a military parade and a national manifestation by the people. After representatives of Libya’s military forces marched past the VIP podium which was surrounded by bullet proof glass and armed soldiers, representatives from all strata of the Libyan people, schoolboys, schoolgirls, representatives from various clubs and societies, women associations and others also marched past. All carried posters of Col. Gaddafi and slogans about the 1 September Revolution. Finally, hundreds of men and young boys mostly in national costumes also marched past each carrying a rifle whilst chanting slogans lauding Col. Gaddafi and the revolution. It was quite late when the whole manifestation ended, concluding a day of historical significance.