Update 3: Libyan embassy in Malta hails hoisting of independence flag
Gaddafi picture frames, green flag set on fire - Ambassador 'still in office'
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
UPDATED 8.52 a.m. on Monday
The Libyan embassy in Malta this morning finally announced that it is recognising the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate government of Libya.
In a statement issued hours after a cheering crowd hoisted the Libyan independence flag on the embassy flagpole, the embassy said it it putting itself and its assets at the council's disposal.
The embassy described the hoisting of the flag as 'a historic moment for the Libyan community marking the victory of their revolution'.
"The Libyan embassy has consistently maintained that it represents the Libyan people rather than the regime. While recognizing the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate government of Libya, putting itself and its assets at its disposal, it will continue to perform its duties and honour its obligations."
The embassy called on all the members of the Libyan community to safeguard all Libyan assets and property on the island, respecting Maltese laws and regulations.
It also expressed its "deepest appreciation" for the Maltese government and the Maltese people for their assistance and support for the Libyan people, saying that was " truly a remarkable show of solidarity".
"As Libya turns into a true democracy, we sincerely hope that our relations will be further strengthened and cemented," the embassy said.
A spokesman for the embassy said when contacted that the ambassador, Saadun Suayeh, 'is still in office'.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said it was formally notified by the ambassador last night that the Libyan flag was being replaced.
JUBILATION OUTSIDE EMBASSY
A crowd of over 200 Libyans last night celebrated the liberation of Tripoli by entering the Libyan embassy in Balzan, hoisting the Libyan revolution (independence) flag and setting fire to pictures of Muammar Gaddafi. The all-green flag of the Gaddafi government was also set on fire.
The independence flag, which has become the Libyan rebels' flag, was hoisted at 12.28 a.m. (Monday) amid wild cheering.
The crowd started gathering at about 11.15 p.m. (Sunday) as news was received of the rebels' rapid advance into Tripoli as resistance by the Gaddafi forces evaporated.
They gathered across the road from the embassy, waving flags, singing and cheering. A police contingent formed up in front of the embassy, which was also protected by barbed wire.
At about 12.15 four men and a boy were allowed into the embassy and they immediately proceeded to the roof, where they hauled down the Libyan flag and replaced it with the old flag amid scenes of jubilation.
The men then emerged holding two picture frames of Muammar Gaddafi, which were immediately smashed on the ground, with several men trampling on them before setting them on fire.
The Libyans then formed a noisy carcade which went around several localities.
Getting the revolution flag to fly on the Libyan embassy in Malta has been a struggle for the Libyan community in Malta. On March 1, during a protest outside the embassy, a man scaled the wall of the embassy, pulled down the green flag and replaced it with the rebels' flag, but embassy staff promptly replaced it with the green flag once more.
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JOSEPH VELLA
Aug 23rd 2011, 13:46
@MR Carmel Garcia, you are a lucky man you was`nt aloud to read your paper I fared worst than you the curia took my BULOTINE away from me ,and I cant go to HAVEN like you, Dont make me laugh MAN.
Joe Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:05
The idea of democracy in Libya is still at conception. It will be a long process and let's hope that it will be a success.
Joe Fenech
Aug 22nd 2011, 19:02
It will happen if the Libyans are allowed to sort things on their own. Chaos always kicks in when the calculating and manipulating west steps in.
One must remember that the real Coran is based on fairness and legitimacy, things that Arab leaders have ignored. See what expert and Oxford professor Tariq Ramadan says on this subject.
F. Ezeddin
Aug 22nd 2011, 12:16
Without diminishing the gratitude felt towards our Maltese family members and friends who supported the Libyan people's cause from the start, the Maltese government is rather lacking.
All the noise and disruption which came when at last it was permitted to remove the old green flag from the Embassy and replace it, could have easily been avoided. We will remember the solidarity shown by the MAJORITY of Maltese citizens, but we cannot forget the Maltese government's stand easily either.
As some commented, the Maltese government "weighed the advantages and disadvantages of such a move" and thought better to keep a 'neutral' stand. But in the face of injustice and the killing of innocent people, there is no place for a neutral stand.
Why wait till late at night, when the general public would be disturbed? Why not do it calmly in broad daylight, a genuine sign of good old clean diplomacy? Whose advantages were being looked after when the so-called 'neutral' stand was taken?
Neutral. To allow the symbol of an old, decrepit, die-hard regime to stand on a building built for the people not against the people. That's not 'neutral', that's KMBism at it's worst. Now how did this government get to support it? One wonders.
Mr Peter Korsten
Aug 22nd 2011, 20:20
Well, one could argue that the interest of the Maltese state was paramount. Suppose that the Maltese government had recognised the TNC as the sole representative of the Libyan people, but that instead Gaddafi would have managed to crush the rebellion? That would have been rather aukward.
The countries that recognised the TNC were either big enough, or part of NATO, or far enough away. It's telling that Tunisia and Egypt waited till yesterday to recognise the TNC: self-preservation, pure and simple.
And whilst it's not the most courageous stand, the Maltese government has to have the interest of the Maltese state at heart, first and foremost. Be sure that nobody, except a few deluded people, will decry the end of the Gaddafi regime.
Ms D Galea
Aug 23rd 2011, 13:39
Mr Ezzedin , do you feel qaulified enough to presume to dictate to us on how to run things in our country?
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:54
Dont forget that when malta was on the brink of collaps back in 1971 it was only gaddaffi who came to our aid. He opened the gates for the maltese to go and work in libya . the golden years of the1970s and 80s are well and truly over . if not becouse of gaddaffis help, today you will either be a bunch of shoe shine boys or exiled in australia doing the donkey jobs that nobody else wants. you will still be the servants that you was from the biggining of time until help started to flow from libya from 1971 onwards! and before you start hailing and licking the new libyan government ,do you now what they are going to be like? surely your not thinking that they are letting you back in with open arms or digging for oil on the median line!
Mr David Buttigieg
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:47
"the golden years of the1970s and 80s"
Come again?
C Muscat
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:53
I hope the Libyans will not get what we got with the new route buses. We expected heaven on earth and look what we've got upto now. Unfortunately, I come from a small country like Libya (actually much smaller) and hope that the same superpowers will not one day decide to grab us like they have done in Libya. I believe that every country is to be governed by its own citizens not by foreign powers.
Wishing all the Libyan citizens a better future and wishing also a better future to our workers especially those that used to earn their living from Libya.
Mr charles vella
Aug 23rd 2011, 13:49
You say Grab us? Grab who? Sorry... if you are reffering to Malta, every 5 years there is an election where to citizens vote for the party they like... don't you vote too every 5 years? In 18 months, there will be an election, and if you don't like the current government, you can vote to someone else... You are living in a democracy, and if in 18 months time, the same government wins the election, it will be because the people voted for it!
Mr Jo Camm
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:22
SA FL'AHHAR JASAL TAL-AHHAR.
John Zammit-Spiteri
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:07
@ Dennis Zammit
I feel that there is a lot of reality in what you wrote about democracy in Arab countries. One has to analise why!
Arab countries have a tendency to be manipulated through religion and their emotions. Arabs have a great history, and they should be given all opportunities to understand the real way to democracy,
mind you , though we are in the democratic bloc , still we dont have a wonderful democratic history and our politics put the western world to shame. But Still we try to achieve the best path towards achieving full democracy.
Libya has now a new beginning, there are tough decisions to be taken, and I hope that western countries will provide everything possible to help turn this historic country towards the path to a new peacefull life, to join the world of life freedom and peace.
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:52
I never did like that green flag. The new flag looks much nicer.
I assume that Libya's national day will move from the 1st Sept to the 21th Aug.
John Caligari
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:28
And our governmant?
Richard Borg
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:52
'government'
Carmel Gatt
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:10
Yes Dr Borg. What are you going to do now? When are you going to declare that the Libyan Council is the sole representative of the Libyan people? How long are you going to sit with both legs on the fence? Come on man, out with it. Don't be afraid or hesitant any more. Do it Minister
Alfred Falzon
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:14
The great majority of the Maltese, who respect and observe human rights, are today jubilant and expect the Maltese Government to respect the Libyan people's will!
Long live FREE LIBYA!
May freedom, social justice and human dignity guide the people of NEW LIBYA, and may they realise that ALL Libyans have a right to free expression and free elections when time is ripe and the dust would have settled down.
Malta looks forward to a genuine collaboration with the Libyan National Transitional Council in all fields of human endeavour.
Our close links with a friendly neighbouring country can never be broken and Malta will remain steadfast in its beliefs that only a democratic society can forge ahead.
Now Libya has the chance of offering equal opportunities to all its people, be they weak or strong, politically motivated or not!
The Maltese, in their great, great MAJORITY, wish you well on this auspicious day!
Mr M Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:45
Following the hoisting of the rev. flag the next step is, and with urgency to remove the Ambassador from his post. He should be considered as a persona non grata with the Maltese. it was decided to remove the Gaddafi flag because it was 100% sure that the rebels took over,
Mr joseph saliba
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:03
I agree with many things you say but, with due respect, Mr A. Falzon you cannot speak for the MAJORITY. Only the people's representative can do that. I can speak my mind, repeat absurdities, but I only represent myself.
Jason Falzon
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:16
I disagree my friend here. The ambassador's role is to represent the authority and people of his country in another country. Until yesterday evening Libya's seat of power was still, albeit thinly, in the hands of Gaddafi. Now the situation has changed and again he is doing his job.
The allegiances of the Libyan ambassador are in reality none of the Maltese business unless they conflict directly with our laws and regulations. To declare an ambassador persona non grata will require the ambassador to break one of our laws or for the Maltese authorites to register an official conflict/disagreement/war with that ambassador's country.
None of this has happened therefore there's nothing that the Maltese aiuthorities can do about it.
It is now in the hands of the soveriegn free democratic people of Libya to appoint/replace an ambassador in line with thier needs.
Alfred Falzon
Aug 23rd 2011, 09:38
@Joseph Saliba
Yes, I stick to what I said when I stated that the GREAT MAJORITY OF THE MALTESE uphold human rights!
What's wrong with that?
Where's the objection to such a noble ideal?
And I form part of that MAJORITY!
I sincerely hope you do likewise!
Ian Vella
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:08
Unfortunately history shows us that once a dictator is toppled, it doesn't necessarily mean that peace will reign in that particular country. Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown from Romania in 1989 and since then no peace reigned in Romania until 1996. The same is happening right now in Iraq, Saddam was executed in December 2006 and yet 4 years later there is absolutely no peace in Iraq.
At least Gaddafi managed to keep the conflicts between these tribes under control.
Let's just hope for the best in Libya and hope that all the different tribes find an agreement or we might see another civil war erupting between the different tribes.
Colin Stanley
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:06
Hope that they will be truely free and democratic. only time will tell.
A Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2011, 07:53
the worst has to come yet, sometimes its better the devil you know then the one you dont.
S. Vella
Aug 22nd 2011, 07:57
@A. Camilleri
Your comment condones the murder of thousands of Libyans by the Gaddafi regime. How can you live with yourself?
Mr Carmel Garcia
Aug 22nd 2011, 08:24
Hallina Sur Camilleri. 42 sena ma tistax titkellem ma tafx x'jigifieri int. Ghaddejna minn kazijiet simili fil-passat, anqas gurnal kontra l-gvern ma kont tista taqra fit-triq jew iddahhal mieghek fuq ix-xoghol. J'alla d-demokrazija issaltan fil-Libja u jkollom futur mill-aqwa.
Charlie Borg
Aug 22nd 2011, 08:31
Pearls of wisdom?
Mario Mifsud
Aug 22nd 2011, 08:40
Issa biex zgur ikunu tajbin nibaghtulhom lill-KMB!!! Tajjeb hekk Sur Camilleri?
Kenneth Cassar
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:09
Only people who profited from Gaddafi's blood money will say that anyone could be worse than Gaddafi.
Mr Joe B Edwards
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:12
Rain before rainbows.
Mr joseph saliba
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:10
Even if the new regime proves to be worse. The first steps include many a fall. Their can't be a perfect democracy as much as their can't be perfect humans. Democracy is about aspiring, seeking, practising, refining, changing and etc.....
Mr Kevin Bonello
Aug 22nd 2011, 06:55
At last! Hope that everything is back to normal or better.. Even for the Maltese economy and the poor workers who worked there! We had a big part in this victory hope the Libjan people will remember us!!
Mario Pace
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:03
For partially supporting the rebel goverment whilst keeping a foot in Gaddafi's tent!
Kenneth Cassar
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:37
Actually we played no part in this victory. And yes, the Libyan people will remember that. Shame on the Gaddafi lackeys in our parliament.
Victor Vella
Aug 22nd 2011, 02:02
A dream come true, may your Nation prosper in democracy, freedom, and peace.
Ronald Bonello
Aug 22nd 2011, 01:06
We wish the new Libyan Government every success and hope that all the bloodshed was not in vain and that the new Libya will be a democratic Government and all Libyans will be a happy and free community! Congratulations!
Dennis Zammit
Aug 22nd 2011, 05:57
While wishing every one success, it is difficult to expect a democracy from an Arab country.
Just mention at least one!
Alfred Falzon
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:19
@ Dennis Zammit
The Arab dawn that is breaking will prove you wrong!
Arab countries have nothing less than so-called Western countries, and this new experience, albeit tainted with bloodshed, will lead the Arab people to further achievements!
They have learned to stand up and be counted!
Isn't that in itself a remarkable feat?!
V Cassar
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:37
@ Alfred Falzon they have "been counted" only because they were given importance due to the valuable resources their country has, otherwise the west wouldnt have interfered or even bother sending journalists etc...
We have yet to see a developed democratic african country.... And we shouldnt interfere with so called "help in country reabilitation" or "democracy introduction", sometimes you can't teach an old dog new tricks..... but by himself he may teach himself one day.
Raymond Sacco
Aug 22nd 2011, 20:23
@v.cassar:
there have been many military coups and change of dictators before, but what is happening now in the arab world is totally new! this time it's the people who are overturning the despots! revolutions are bringing down one tyrant after another! in tunesia and egypt the people did it on their own because the army sided with them, but in libya and syria tanks, jet fighters and even war ships were used against civilians! the west and UN did the right thing in helping the people in libya and i hope they do the same in syria. what is devious about this whole situation is that both the west and the UN were very lax towards the oppressors in yemen, saudi arabia and bahrain who did exactly the same as the libyan and syrian bullies! so now it's up to the west and the UN as to whether they can retain their credibility and help the people of these countries too!
ragarding africa, let us not forget that this continent was raped for centuries by the european colonialists who divided africa the way it appeased them! the african nations we know today, were not created naturally through wars as the european countries did! africa was literally designed into linear squares on the drawing table by their european masters. what the europeans did not consider was that eternal rival tribes were merged into nations creating the civil unrest and wars we are witnessing today. and as if all this was not enough, european mega companies are still provoking conflicts in order to get their greedy hands on the various precious minerals which this continent is rich of! that is why we have yet to see a developed democratic african country! yes, an old dog can learn new tricks, but it will take time if this old dog has only been taught how to bite!
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