The Libyan leadership and opposition still had a chance to solve the tragic crisis in their country in a peaceful way, Imam Mohammed Elsadi said today.
The Imam said in a statement that he has been following “the unexpected tragic events in my beloved Libya, a country which has always supported the Muslim community in Malta as well as many people in the world, a country whose grace we will never forget”.
He said that nobody who loved Libya would have wished or imagined that peaceful, popular demands were to develop in such a bloody armed fight between Libyan brothers.
“Whilst we cannot turn the clock back, in order to achieve this most desirable goal, fighting between government forces and the opposition should stop immediately, in order to save the precious lives of the Libyan People.
“There should be sincere and fair mediation and negotiations between the two sides by wise, Libyan or foreign personalities in order to find a peaceful way out of this ordeal.
Imam Elsadi said that it was not in the interest of the Libyan people that any of the two sides rejected mediation and negotiations.
“Peace should be given a chance. The Libyan People should solve their own problems through their own efforts and not invite foreign military intervention to their homeland, because this will worsen and complicate the situation and impose more fighting upon the Libyans to liberate their country. Foreign military assistance is not free of charge,” he warned.
Imam Elsadi said it was high time for the Libyan leadership and the concerned parties to take courageous historical decisions and to put the national interest before personal pride by making concessions and sacrifices to safeguard Libyan unity and save Libyan lives and wealth.
“The common good of Libya should be above anybody and the will of the Libyan people should be done. It is a great pity that the many good achievements of the Libyan people are undermined in such an unfortunate, tragic way.”
The Imam thanked the Maltese government, Maltese political parties and the Maltese people for their solidarity, hospitality and generosity in helping Libyans at this hour of need. He also thanked the Maltese Catholic Church and the Anglican Church for their sympathy and sincere prayers for peace in Libya.
“Our thoughts and hearts are with the Maltese workers and businessmen who lost their jobs and business in Libya because of these tragic events. May God provide for them better chances and generous providence,” he said.
The Imam conveyed condolences to all the families “of the martyrs in Libya” and prayed for God’s mercy upon them.
“We pray to God the Merciful to heal the injured and to console their families.”
“Finally, we pray to God Almighty to grant the Libyan People and their leaders the wisdom to make the right decisions and save their country from division, bloodshed and destruction, and bring Libya back to peace, stability and prosperity.
“May God grant them the grace of love and forgiveness to restore the bond of harmony and brotherhood among themselves.
“May God protect Libya and relieve the Libyan People,” he said.