Dr. Abdel Moneim El-Bouri
The independence of countries is the true and historical beginning of the liberation of peoples. There are many national and nationalist days in the life of many countries. But Independence Day remains that special memory and meanings, which makes it one of the most important days and holidays in the life of any people.
And since the majority of peoples did not gain their independence except after they fought a bitter and arduous struggle against foreign colonialism. A struggle in all its forms, military and political.
And fierce battles were fought by peoples against the colonizers, the results of which were millions of martyrs, wounded, disabled and refugees. Libya’s independence was not in vain nor a gift from anyone, but rather came as an embodiment of the free and comprehensive national will, emanating from the awareness of the various components of the Libyan people of their national character and crystallized through the factors of history, geography, heritage, values, customs and traditions.
In addition to the convergence of the goals of all these components and their common interests around the homeland. Libyans have embodied this will throughout history, through their constant endeavor to liberate their homeland from all the forces that have succeeded in occupying their land.
Since independence, Libya has been exposed to many dangers and crises that threatened its entity and destiny. However, the flame of unity in the consciences of its people has never extinguished.
Its people and the wisdom of its loyal men who managed the country’s affairs during the kingdom era were able to cross it to safety until the ominous September coup occurred and what it brought upon Libya of devastation and destruction of minds and souls, and distortion of history over the course of four decades, which was sufficient to bring about many changes that are difficult to limit on the human, moral and material levels.
Then, God soon enabled the Libyan people to carry out their revolution against all forms of injustice, oppression and tyranny and liberate themselves from the rule of the individual dictator. However, many factors combined to change the reality of the revolution, some of which we will mention, such as:
(1) the state of political vacuum that the country experienced,
(2) the absence of a comprehensive political vision for the transitional period and beyond,
(3) the failure of the Libyan political elites to find a minimum level of consensus on how to manage the affairs of government,
(4) the stumbling of efforts to rebuild the state,
(5) the absence of a national army,
(6) the emergence of tribal and regional calls. Ethnicity, class,
(7) the absence of central powers that control and dominate all parts of the country, and
(8) the failure of the executive bodies to perform their duties properly.
These factors and others have led to the transfer of political competition to the stage of military conflict.
In the midst of the major events we are witnessing today, and the fateful transformations at this particular stage of hardships, crises, and conflict between the sons of the nation, how much we need to remember that the most important pillars of our independence are based on:
First, the unity of the land and the people, this unity that was consecrated by the truth of history, the truth of customs and traditions and their nobility, and was established by the will to meet between all Libyans for a dignified and honorable common life, without which there is no independence but rather division and fragmentation that open the internal arena to the interventions and conflicts of others.
Libyans, the sons of this land, residents, refugees and expatriates, regardless of their affiliations, regions and backgrounds, are united by a single Libyan identity, a long history, future aspirations, and a firm belief in a shared life, stemming from their long interactions and experiences in living together, and their awareness of their vital interests.
Second, the painful events that have ravaged and continue to ravage the country have proven the extent of the dangers that surround us internally and externally, and that there is no way for all of us but to strive for a shared life by working together without excluding or marginalizing all components of the country, emphasizing the finality of the country and the unity of belonging to the various segments that make up Libyan society.
Third, it is necessary to establish a state of institutions that expresses the will and unity of the people, and that assumes its governance, care and management of its affairs, based on the principle of rights and duties, and also assumes the protection of the land and the regulation of the exploitation of its wealth, thus forming a fundamental pillar of the existence of the sovereign and independent country.
On the anniversary of independence, despite all the hardships and difficulties and despite the severe suffering that many Libyan cities are experiencing, this country will remain a towering, impregnable fortress, in light of the unbreakable will of a people, and a great faith in God, and in Libya, its land, people and destiny, and with it, God willing, security, safety, peace and stability will return, and the country will remain safe, healthy and victorious over the winds of sedition and conspiracies.
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