Amid political tensions, loyalists of the former Libyan regime marked on Tuesday the 51st anniversary of the Fateh Revolution that was led by late leader Moammar al-Gaddafi in September 1969.
This year’s limited celebrations were held amid the sharp divide between eastern and western Libya, as well as Misrata city and the capital Libya amid the dispute between Government of National Accord (GNA) head Fayez al-Sarraj and his interior minister Fathi Bashagha.
Every year, the revolution anniversary highlights divisions among the people, with supporters ruing the loss of Gaddafi and others accusing him of “destroying the country with a coup against the legitimate authorities” after he ousted King Idris I, whose supporters say achieved Libya’s independence and stability.
Night celebrations were held in regions that support Gaddafi, with green flags and images of the late leader and his son, Seif al-Islam, raised. The majority of these commemorations were held in southern and northwestern cities.
The celebrations were not without incident. Local media reported that a woman was killed in Sabha city by a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire.
Pro-Gaddafi writer, Omar al-Hamdi said: “Ten difficult years after the 2011 NATO aggression, our people continue to celebrate the Fateh Revolution, offer sacrifices and prepare to restore a united and sovereign Libya.”
The road leading to the 51st anniversary of the revolt has been paved with the sacrifices of the Libyan people since the time of the Spanish invasion of 1510, he added.
In contrast, Ashraf Boudoura, chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the National Congress to activate the Constitution of Independence and Return to Constitutional Monarchy in Libya, condemned the “oppressive” revolution.
He said the coup “laid waste to 42 years of Libya’s life.”
Coordinator of the executive committee of the Libyan Popular National Movement, Dr. Mustafa El Zaidi said the Fateh Revolution was a “turning point in Libya’s national history.” He said it marked a shift from the time of “backwardness towards liberation and pursuit of progress.”
“Despite the intense propaganda of the colonial media and their attempts to promote lies …. the Fateh Revolution remained key to Libya’s real independence and rise,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that the revolt made some missteps, but they “paled in comparison to its successes in all fields.”
“One of its most important achievements is allowing the Libyans to decide their own fate away from foreign meddling,” El Zaidi stressed.
