Jubilation as pre-Gaddafi flag is raised on Libyan embassy
The pre-Gaddafi Libyan flag has been raised on the flagpole of the Libyan embassy amid cheering by Libyan anti-government protesters in Attard.
The ambassador said he would stay on and said he accepted any flag which represented the Libyan people.
Protesters first met the ambassador and draped the flag on the embassy balcony before raising it on the flagpole replacing the all-green Libyan flag.
The protesters said before the meeting that they wanted to raise the flag peacefully.
After half an hour they emerged from the building with the ambassador but the official Green flag remained on the flagpole. They said the ambassador wanted to strike the official flag but the Consul did not.
While the ambassador spoke to journalists, however, protesters scrambled up the facade of the building, draped the monarchy flag on the balcony and then raised it on the flagpole amid wild cheering from the crowd of Libyans waiting outside. The official flag was thrown down from the roof.
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In Discussion
59 Comments
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Corinne Vella
Mar 3rd 2011, 17:15
@ J Gatt - The Libyan embassy is not foreign to Libyans.
C.Busuttil
Mar 2nd 2011, 18:00
@Victor Vella
You are not sure if he's not a despost ? INT BIS-SERJETA
This guy has invaded Chad and he was defeated in a humiliating manner, in 1977 he attacked Eygpt and received another bashing. Instead of using money to advance the libyan people he used that money to finance terrorists, Remember the Rome and Vienna airport attacks among others who was the mastermind behind ? your colonel. Lockerbie says something Tghidlix kollha komplotti ta' l-amerikani kontra l-Ghandi libjan LOL LOL
This guy threatened our small peaceful nation 30 years ago with his navy, maybe Malta would have struck oil had it not been for your colonel. For 30 Years the maltese have been deprived from the benefits of oil discovery. He's now killing his own people and you doubt he's a despot. You are right he's not just a despot but a criminal who should face justice or maybe the wrath of his people prevents him from facing a tribunal and gets his just deserves.
Hallina tridx u tibqax tohlom vera meta tara wiehed mill-idoli tieghek juri l-vera kuluri tieghu hija disfatta personali, l-aktar ghax il-verita sagrosanta twegga
S. Degabriele
Mar 2nd 2011, 14:42
Corinne Vella, have you by any chance forgot what democracy is about? Have you so much time on your hands to stay here and write messages to everyone that is against the scenes happening in malta by these libyans? Leave us to comment please because we have our concerns too. You seem to try to shut up everyone that does not agree with you. Can you live and let live please? Can you give us a good example of what democracy is? You seem the official PR of this libyan group. We are in OUR country and we have all the right to speak our concerns and to say that we are tired now. It's already too much the noise that has been happening in Attard. Leave people to comment here in peace and stop jumping to our necks whenever we do not agrre with them.
You speak of what is right for these people and about democracy. Be the one to show some democracy and refrain from insulting everyone that does not share your opinion. MAYBE WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT NOT TO SHARE THE SAME OPINION OF THESE LIBYANS AND YOURS BECAUSE THIS IS MALTA NOT LIBYA.
Corinne Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 19:41
S Degabriele - See my reply elsewhere.
Victor Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 10:01
I wish to say something to our neighbours- the libyans. From what I am seeing I doubt whether Gaddafi was despotic or not. Why? The world is experiencing the world globilised in Libya. Millions of foreignors worked in Libya and today we are seeing their flight out of Libya. Russia was under communist rule, but no one not even one person was accepted to live in Russia. Gaddafi`s regime for sure was democratic when compared to communist China and Russia. Gaddafi gave the world`s employees and suppliers the opportunity to work in Libya and earn good salaries that theydid not find in their homeland. I urge the Libyan ambassador in Malta to go to Libya and talk to Gaddafi to change direction and give the opportunity to his people to gather around a table and find solutions and to train his people in every sector of the economy and get rid of the parasites that now are plannig to find the opportunity to displace him. Now is the time for Gaddafi to change his attitudes as now is the time of the apparent reality to make of Libya a peacefulstate devoid of any foreign parasites. MakeLibyaofArabpeople.
Corinne Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 14:21
Victor Vella - whether you doubt that Gaddafi was a despot is not a matter of concern to world affairs. If you wish to know about life under Gaddafi, you could try living in Libya. The next best thing is to talk to Libyan people. After living in fear for years, many are now speaking out.
Victor Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 14:47
Dear Corinne with the same argument we cannot stay at home or on our streets without the fear of being attacked by assailants. Last year we had 7,769 robbery in Malta with people being killed by attackers. This is the rest of mind that you are talking about. ? This ruthless Gonzi regime brought poverty to this nation and the figure is raised to highest years record to more than 62,000 people. This is the history re-written of this malicious government under the regime of Gonzi regime. There is the possibility that more than 2 out of 10 will be in danger to be attacked or killed in their homes or on the streets. Is this not fear or for you what is fear?
Corinne Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 19:39
Victor Vella: I thought we were talking about Gaddafi. Are you saying he is responsible for Malta's crime rate?
Philip Sultana
Mar 3rd 2011, 15:31
The mind boggles ... you suggest the Ambassador takes it upon himself to talk sense to Gaddafi ... and you want to be taken seriously? Where have you been living these last 42 years?
J Gatt
Mar 2nd 2011, 09:17
With around 2,000,000 foreign workers in the Country, and 30% unemployed Libyans?
The Tunisian revolution is losing steam and fast. They are shooting youths in the sreets, once more.
Tunisian youths need another revolution??
Unlike the Chinese, Egyptians, badly needs to get their act together in repatriating all their workers from Tunisian, they need to wake up once more.
Unlike Egypt and Tunisian, Libya got huge reserves of O ...I.....L..??
Spot the Difference, please.
H. Meilak
Mar 1st 2011, 22:06
The all-green flag of Libya became official in late 1977, not soon after Gaddafi's revolution in 1969.
J. Vella
Mar 1st 2011, 21:05
Mr christopher busutill you should have been there to see what happened. Instead of asking silly questions which deserve silly answers!
Joe Farrugia
Mar 1st 2011, 18:55
why is it that these guys risk there life just to change a flag, when they can start from easier places - such as changing the flag on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya (top left corner)
Christopher Busuttil
Mar 1st 2011, 18:12
Ghadni ma fhimtx ezatt x qed jaghmlu l-pulizija ma l-ambaxxata? Jiccassaw biss? Kif il-libjani irnexxielhom jitilghu mal-faccata? Din sigurta? Ghall-ambaxxata u ghall-persuni nfushom?
M. Mamo
Mar 2nd 2011, 00:17
L-ewwel informa ruhek ssew habib ... jekk kien l-ambaxxatur stess li awtorizza dan ... xtippretendi li jaghmlu l-pulizija? jarrestaw lill-ambaxxatur u jissekwestraw il-propjeta'?
p.grima
Mar 2nd 2011, 01:42
Do not rush to conclusions. Malta Police cannot enter any embassy since it is foreign soil over which they have no jurisdiction whatsoever.
J De Battista
Mar 2nd 2011, 09:47
Kien ikun ahjar li taqra tajjeb l'ewwel u tara il filmat qabel tikkumenta Sur Busuttil, Mela ma tafx li Ambaxata hi parti mill pajjiz li tkun qed tiraprezenta? Biex tidhol il pulizija trid tintalab it talba minn gewwa l'Ambaxata. Dak li gara kien li wara li l persuni dahlu ikellmu lil ambaxatur huma u hergin telghu mal faccata li tigi l gewwa mill hajt u l grada li hemm mat triq fejn hemm il Pulizija. Nahseb li issa tinsab infurmat ahjar.
Ivan Caruana
Mar 2nd 2011, 12:16
Nahseb il-Pulizija kienu qeghdin jistennew l-ordni tieghek biex jintervjenu!! Kemm thobb tasal ghall-konkluzzjonijiet malajr, minghajr lanqas tkun taf l-affarijiet kif graw.
Bill Khan
Mar 1st 2011, 18:04
@C. Busuttil, the pre-ghadffi Libya was peaceful. Britain and US ran the affairs of the country with a figure head of a King. Libyans were allowed to carry on with what they wanted. The Libyans had the peace and the Brits and the Americans the oil. Things are soon to revert back to the same scenario. The Libyans will have democracy and the oil reserves will be shared by the powers so eagre to now get rid of Ghaddafi.
M.Cachia
Mar 1st 2011, 18:57
Mr Kahn here has his own little version of history which differs with that of the rest of the world....
Mario camilleri
Mar 2nd 2011, 08:55
agree 100%
Oswald Tanti
Mar 1st 2011, 17:12
Why not a UNITED STATES OF LIBYA and live happily ever after. The country is large, rich enough and has lately been providing employment for some 2,000,000 foreigners flocking into the country from all over the world.
Alex Ellul
Mar 1st 2011, 18:21
@Philip Pace: The libyans are nor rewinding back, but rolling back Gaddafi's years, and the only timeline they can identify with is 31st August 1969, when the flag was thatof the kindom of Libya, under the benign King Idris, who started the road towards the modernisation of Libya by means of attaching it to western values. Gaddafi undid all that attached Libya to the Soviet beast, spend most of its oil in armaments and pocketing the rest in his personal accounts. Now the Libyans know the difference. They were free under Idris and slaves under Gaddafi..... very simple. Now, they are rallying under the only flag they know that does not remnd them of tyranny.
Just a hint: The protestors at Cairo's Hariri Square did not use Islamic symbols as the banner, but they had FACEBOOK written on their forehead..........
Philip Pace
Mar 1st 2011, 21:56
To Alex Ellul,
As to how you wrote, I still think that they are rewinding the clock back and then comes another gracious King Idris (re the flag of The KIngdom of Libya) who gives plots of land for the oil companies to dig for oil while they pay peanuts or built a hospital for the lucky few Libyans as another sort of payment. Is that the western values that King Idris brought? What was the modernistaion that KIng Idris brought about that you are writing about? And if so, wouldn't there be another Gaddafi who removes another fortunate King and we are back at square one?
I for one shall be watching closely on how thing shall develope in Libyan, hoping that no foreign military action takes place.
oliver mallia SPB
Mar 1st 2011, 16:51
We consider Libyan ambassador as a great smart gentleman. Thank you for such responsibility.
Malcolm Farrugia
Mar 1st 2011, 18:45
Well said Oliver!!!
C.Busuttil
Mar 1st 2011, 16:39
@Adrian Gouder
42 years have passed but the libyans notwithstanding the terror and brainwashing of this brutal regime have not forgotten their old flag. It must mean something for them. Remember one thing the 1969 revolution was not a revolution of the people but a coup from military officers who made themselves rich at the expense of the libyan people.
42 YEARS AFTER they have learned the lesson and they long for the peaceful pre gaddafi years
Kevin Attard
Mar 1st 2011, 16:22
The Libyan Ambassador to Malta seems to be very talented in crisis management and has the Libyan people's interest at the front of his attention - it would have been very easy for him to step down, but he chose to stick in trouble waters - remarkable so far!
m vella
Mar 1st 2011, 16:05
Mr Ambassador, you are true gentleman and possess the gift of charisma,
God bless you.
Adrian Gouder
Mar 1st 2011, 15:31
This, I find, is rather sad.
Whilst I am happy for the Libyan people for taking this huge step, it is obvious that they have forgotten their history - the flag was changed to green for a reason. Now they are changing it back to a monarchy flag!
He who forgets his past is doomed to repeat past mistakes.
Alex Ellul
Mar 1st 2011, 15:52
That's exactly what they're doing, reversing the past mistake.
Philip Pace
Mar 1st 2011, 17:25
TO Alex Ellul.
And bringing back monarchy perhaps? And if they do then addio democracy as with monarchy reintstalled then another sort of revultion would ensue!!! And then they go around in circles for the next 100 years.
As what you wrote it's like rewinding the tape and play it all over again.
JButtigieg
Mar 1st 2011, 15:12
The Libyan ambassador strikes me as a true gentleman.
Stephen Farrugia
Mar 1st 2011, 15:12
Playing with flags now ? Find a solution and try not to get anyone hurt. Create a ULE ( United Libyan Emirates) and have a free united country but be wise.
Jesmar Cremona
Mar 1st 2011, 15:07
I am afraid that those who think that by Gaddafi's and the others' downfall; Libya and the other North African states are to be free; are all wrong!
Who knows who will be taking over? Another dictator or a fundamentalist Muslim party or Al Qaeda (whom have been trying to destabilize the region for years)? Who knows?
What I know is; that one of these 'dictators' H.Mubarak was a peace keeper in the region and we at the west lost an ally!
Alex Ellul
Mar 1st 2011, 15:33
If you are really following the news, its the new generation raised on facebook and SMS's that are doing the figghting and the new (Arab) world order bleongs to them. That technology developed by the free west is freeing up the rest of the world. Next stop: China.
axuereb
Mar 1st 2011, 20:38
@ Alex Ellul: Facebook and SMS should get the rebels better organised then:-).........
Robert Calafato
Mar 1st 2011, 15:03
42 years ago the flag was changed peacefully, and without a single shot being fired.
Does this mean that 42 years ago all the Libyan people wanted change?
This time round things are quite different!
joseph muscat
Mar 1st 2011, 15:01
i agree perfectly with c camilleri....if gaddafi is gone whats gonna happen to libya? Tunez and Egypt arent doing that great after they got rid of the presidents...will d same story happen here? maybe these people enjoy themselves in creating havoc and problems since they dont like working it goves them something to do
P. S Zammit
Mar 1st 2011, 15:19
agree with you. Tunisia and Egypt still continue to protest for one thing or another . They got what they wanted but they don't have a clue about setting up a democratic government.
Corinne Vella
Mar 1st 2011, 17:11
J Muscat - You could try meeting the people you criticise. You'd be surprised to find that you're wrong. I saw no havoc there and certainly few who 'don't like working'. Some run shops and other businesses, several are tradesmen who turned up after having put in a days' work,hers are teachers. And all took the time to thank anyone who turned up to give them support - and also those who didn't.
J Gatt
Mar 2nd 2011, 09:13
@Corinne Vella,
With around 2,000,000 foreign workers in the Country, and 30% unemployed Libyans?
The Tunisian revolution is losing steam and fast. They are shooting youths in the sreets, once more.
Tunisian youths need another revolution??
Unlike the Chinese, Egyptians, badly needs to get their act together in repatriating all their workers from Tunisian, they need to wake up once more.
Corinne Vella
Mar 2nd 2011, 10:08
How do China, Egypt and Tunisia feature in the matter of which flag flies over the Libyan embassy in Malta?
J Gatt
Mar 2nd 2011, 23:08
Corinne Vella(12 hours, 46 minutes ago)How do China, Egypt and Tunisia feature in the matter of which flag flies over the Libyan embassy in Malta?
The Chinese prompt handling of their own, indicates great respect , concern and compassion, as for the rest , you may do your homework,
I sympatize with the protesters, they have every right to protest peacefully, on the other hand trespassing on a Foreign Embassy grounds is not peaceful nor justified, and should not have occured
K Vella
Mar 1st 2011, 14:50
The meaning of Safety......climbing up the balcony straight to the roof top....just open the door and lead them to the roof to change the flag and is done.
C. Camilleri
Mar 1st 2011, 14:44
42 years ago, they fought to remove the very flag they have now raised.
How ironic!
Iris Azzopardi
Mar 1st 2011, 15:22
@ C. Camilleri
No irony at all. In 1969, the legitimate government of Libya was overthrown in a military coup d' etat. There was no fighting. The people were not consulted then - or ever since!
J Brincat
Mar 1st 2011, 14:37
So we would soon be with one dictator less!
Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia
Mar 1st 2011, 14:00
well done! and three cheers to the Ambassador. This is the dawn of a new era for the Libyan people. The destiny of their country will soon be in their hands again. I hope and augur that the future of Libya will be one where justice and freedom will prevail for all and wealth is shared equally.
We are all hearing the news, we have always known of Ghaddafi's riches and how this once common soldier became the wealthiest man on earth! Do not let this happen to you again.
Joseph Cachia
Mar 1st 2011, 14:54
NONE of these people, all under 40, have lived under Idris rule.
They don't remember their father's living as slaves in corrugated sheet sheds all along
the country, living on FTIRA imcappsa bit-tadam, when can afford to buy it.
That Flag represent a monarchy that ruled with a GB forced on puppet Idris CONSTITUTION
were clause 5 & 11 were inserted, giving GB the right to decide on whoever LIBYA
sell it's oil to, and for america / uk each operate base's in the country.
No Libyan had the right to challenge GB decisions
In 1969 all LIBYAN's become free, all shakles broken
P. S Zammit
Mar 1st 2011, 15:16
Let alone all those children they take with them to the protests. They scream against a dictator that most probably don't know what it means. I am against Gaddafi's actions always but some of them protest for the sake of doing it that's all. For me protests in Malta were useless. I also agree with C. Camilleri.
Alex Ellul
Mar 1st 2011, 15:31
Joseph Cachia, you are re-writing history as leftists are wont to do considering that you have no single foot to stand on where human rights come in.
King Idris was accepted as King of Libya following the end of the second world war. he was the only Arab leader to have sided with the allies and not with Hitler. The other Arab leaders supported Hitler because Hitler was anti-jewish, but Idris kept on the side of the British and American forces during the war and extended his collaboration afterwards, contrary to other Arab countries that hooked up with the evil Soviet empire, now defunct, thank God.
King Idris never murdered any Libyans or any other persons, unlike Gaddafi who by 1972 had already commenced murdering his Libyan opponents especially students at universities (which were set up by King Idris by the way) and shooting them.
There's not enough space to write Libya's and King Idris' history here, but should you care you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Idris
Now go tell your opinion the Libyans in Malta and wait for their reaction, don't run.
Corinne Vella
Mar 1st 2011, 17:04
J Cachia You are mistaken. Not all of those people are under 40. Those who are, have lived lives blighted by Gaddafi's reign. Their children may be luckier. To those children, their parents, and their grandparents, the flag represents independence.
P S Zammit - There's much to be said for involving children in current events. Those children are likely to grow up with a broader outlook than many of the people posting comments here.
P.S Zammit
Mar 1st 2011, 13:56
Ok so now the flag has been changed. What does this change in your country? Does it stop those thousands from being killed? I guess no, so I don't understand why such fuss with all due respect. Gaddafi has not yet resigned, flag or not flag. Now that the flag has been changed go home and leave Attard and Malta in quiet again. I guess you obtained what you wanted.
Joe Cassar
Mar 1st 2011, 14:34
It gives these Part-Time Heroes the feeling that they participated - without facing the dangers their compatriots are facing in Libya.
Ganni Ellul
Mar 1st 2011, 14:55
It means a lot to them , please rejoice for these people who have suffrered for so long, or are you some of those who criticised the Prime Minister for saying that the fall of Gaddafi is “inevitable? Rejoice fellow homan beings for the end of the Mad Dog is iminent.Long Live freedom
P. S Zammit
Mar 1st 2011, 15:13
I did not criticise anyone and I am not a pro-Gaddafi neither. I did not touch your beloved PM dear blue eye boy. Before pointing your finger get your facts right. Why everything is an opportunity to get into politics? How sick this country is!
I stand by it, changing a flag means nothing because who is killed remains dead and who is in the battles remains there. Nothing can be done from Malta. The only thing I can rejoice about at the moment is that I can pass infront of Attard's Embassy freely finally. Do you think that Gaddafi cares that the flag has changed?
M. Fenech
Mar 1st 2011, 15:20
@ Ganni Ellul
I hope that after Gaddafi, they will have a better leader. And I hope for us Maltese, that they will have a leader that won't have anything to do with 'al-qaeda'! If the latter happens, people like you would have been proved completly wrong,and we will face serious consequences! Then YOU can tell the Prime Minister of Malta what kind of statement he should release!! I wish you luck!!!!!
Corinne Vella
Mar 1st 2011, 17:00
P S Zammit - you should try talking to some of those demonstrators. They'd be glad to explain the significance of that change. Meanwhile, you could take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PXhxgt_ML8 - a video of one of the demonstrators thanking the people of Malta. If you meet him, do explain that he couldn't have been talking to you.