For many years we have been arguing that the solution in Libya involves different figures from those that our governments regularly support. We have never had a "crystal ball", we are journalists: we listen. In doing so, preferably, we don't listen to too many self-styled North African experts who probably made the only crossing in Sardinia one summer. For Libya, we have heard Libyans and many (many) Italians who have lived and / or worked there for a long time. Some, elderly with twenty years of experience, are no longer with us today.
Years ago, on Libya, the common indication that came was that it was Haftar, the only one able to reunify the country.
"What the Libyans know about Libya," our leaders thought minimi when four years ago they favored the choice of an unpopular and hated character to lead the country: al Sarraj. They also said that the general "is not a reliable person". The ox that says "horned" to the donkey?
Today, after 4 officially "breaking" governments (evidently not synonymous with "discontinuity"), Italian politics perseveres in error: for years we have been financing criminals who keep Libya in a state of corruption and anarchy. People who, when things go wrong, take the liberty of threatening us to be invaded by 800.000 immigrants (v.articolo).
On Wednesday, Abdulahdi Ibrahim Lahweej, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Tobruk government, the one on which Italy (that of the Superenalotto) did not bet wickedly came to our country to speak at a conference.
We interviewed him while he was at the airport, just before the restart. The impression is that, in the light of past and present choices, we would not deserve such indulgence.
Minister, why did you come to Italy? The current government already knows perfectly the (real) situation on the ground in Libya ...
Italy, its government, its parliament and its people are very important. The relationship between our countries is not only economic, political and social but also historical and cultural. Libya's main economic partner is Italy. We are part of a large Mediterranean family: what happens in Libya influences Italy and what happens in Italy affects Libya.
The most worrying issue is immigration.
In Libya there are two governments: one legitimately elected (represented by us) and one second "recognized by the international community" that does not enjoy the legality or consent of the population.
The first is a responsible government that respects human rights and controls the 90% of the territory. From our beaches there is not even a departure of immigrants to Europe.
On the other hand, from what is called "government" (what is called "Sarraj's"), 100 human beings embark every day: some drown and some reach their destination.
Immigration will be a problem for Italy, certainly not the main one for Libya after 8 years of unrest!
The question cannot be separated. It is a problem for both countries. Immigrants do not fall from the sky: they leave Libyan beaches and we must not intervene in the countries of arrival but in those of departure.
Another crucial issue is that of terrorism. The international community wants to fight it and has in the past amassed troops as far as Tora Bora in Afghanistan to face it. Today terrorists are half an hour from the Italian coast!
In Syria, in Idlib, these criminals arrived via Turkey with Qatari money. The same happens today in Libya.
Statistics show the presence of 21 millions of illegal weapons in Libya.
A third issue is that of the economy and partnerships. No economic stability can be sought in the absence of security.
Today our government, together with the Libyan National Army (LNA, ed) tries to restore a state presence throughout the territory, especially on the borders so as not to make them bridges for illegal immigrants and terrorists. Libya must free itself from the chaos caused by the presence of militiamen and armaments.
How will this be possible?
We do not want war, we want peace and coexistence. We are now fighting for the liberation of the Libyan capital from all terrorists.
And then what?
We will go towards a conciliation and a national dialogue. No one will be excluded or politically disparaged.
We are building a new Libya: democratic, free, respectful of human rights, without militants, prisons and who believe in collaboration with the world.
Italy will play the lion's share on all sides.
Minister, how do you reconcile with governments that have funded terrorism for years ?!
As far as we are concerned, the governments that supported the militants are the Turkish and Qatari ones. All terrorist groups in Libya have been financed and armed.
Qatar and Turkey will not have the opportunity to make any investment in Libya or participate in the reconstruction of the country.
Once Libya is pacified, we will take legal action in international courts.
Our hand will always be aimed at all other countries.
Given that the last Italian governments have good or badly pursued the same bankruptcy policy in Libya, do you want to make an appeal to the opposition?
We cannot accuse the Italian government of having failed in its task. Every government makes its choices and takes responsibility ...
However, our duty is to tell the truth of what happens in Libya. We say it to the government, to the opposition but above all to Italian citizens: those who have been the cause of illegal immigration cannot present themselves as promoter or partner in the search for a solution. The militiamen - outlaws - cannot represent any legitimate government anywhere in the world.
The problem of Libya is not political, it is security.
It is time for our country to democratically determine itself and return to being a peaceful, secular and pluralist state in the Mediterranean.
It is time for our boys to stop hearing the hiss of bullets and sing hymns of joy, peace and coexistence.
It is time for Libyan women to regain their rights, without being second-rate "objects".
We must stop arming militias illegally and allow a state of law to regain complete control of the country.
Image: Radical Radio
