Cameron and Sarkozy get heroes welcome in Libya.
- 15 September 2011 15:25126592The two premiers made a surprise flying visit to Libya today and were greeted by the local populace as heroes. The citizens were bursting with enthusiasm to see the two men who supplied so much of the firepower that brought about their bloodsoaked freedom. The greetings were warm, genuine, and spontaneous. Not often do we see politicians greeted with such warm passion, such warm enthusiasm. This will do Cameron a power of good on the world stage and increase his stature hugely. It wont do him any harm at home here either where the wheels appear to be coming off in a number of directions.
It was a risky trip requiring some bravery from the two leaders as Libya is still up to its neck in blood and bullets. Not all the areas loyal to Gaddafi have fallen and in fact some are putting up stiff resistance. So riding about Tripoli in a helicopter has significant risk attached to it. So very well done to them.
Gaddafi, if he sees all this on his own TV, and sees the greeting afforded to the two leaders, his heart must sink, if it hasnt sunk already. The people are so thrilled to be free of the yoke of tyranny.
Sometimes there are significant moments in the tenure of leaders, Tony Blair had those moments, moments that secured him in place for many years, this could such a moment for Cameron. Rendering the climb to power by his rival Miliband that much harder.email: dover7@msn.com - 15 September 2011 17:25126602dave certainly looked the statesman there in front of the libyan people, how the new government see things could be very different.
last i heard was that libya would become an "islamic liberal" society, not sure how the two go together.
i do wonder whether the people have shaken off one kind of tyranny for another, only time will tell. - 15 September 2011 18:10126613I think there is a lot of optimism for the future. Judging by the coverage today the people there are embracing the west, certainly for the moment and lets hope it continues. Its good tos ee these people free to express themselves. In the past arab nations have resented the use of western bombers, I think the good move in all this, was leaving the US out of proceedings. Their Foreign diplomacy reputation in all these things isnt very strong...its mud in fact.. people have bad memories of US involvment. So it is nice to see Britain and France get the accolades of a sensitive job well done....so far.email: dover7@msn.com
- 15 September 2011 18:15126615Any chance of our military costs being repaid by free petrol from this oil rich state?Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 15 September 2011 22:35126642I didn't see such great cwords of people turning out in Benghazi to cheer Camers. On the video I looked at, it looked like a few hundred people, possibly sent by the authorities with orders to cheer.
I wonder what would happen if he went to harangue the crowds in Sirte?
To date, I haven't seen video clips from Tripoli of tens of thousands of people cheering and celebrating since the new gentlemen got in power there a few weeks ago, let alone hundreds of thousands, and that in a city with one third of Libya's population, which is 6 million.
I bet that most Libyans are asking themselves the same question: what will come next?
I wonder if the new authorities will continue to pay each Libyan citizen a dividend into their bank account from oil revenues, as the Jamahiriah did.
And if schools and university will continue to be free for all.
Let's not forget that none of those blokes now in power in Tripoli were elected by the people.
Their armies seem to have taken a few thrashings at Sirte and Bani Walid 5 days ago, making utter fools of themselves!
Not least because they claimed the people there would greet them with open arms.
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 16 September 2011 07:07126649Ah no no...hundreds of people as you say yourself, which is quite a crowd as the whole process will have had an element of cloak and dagger about it for security reasons. You could see Mr Cameron was moved by the response and the warmth of the greeting.
Marek most definitely the two men will be having very good oil deals in their back pockets on the way home, or the prospect of same. But isnt that good for everyone?? Thats what we want isnt it..lots of oil!email: dover7@msn.com - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
16 September 2011 19:23126732well what country next then?
in the interest of consistencyALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
16 September 2011 19:38126741kieth,the uk for starters. - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
16 September 2011 19:43126744agree brian
maybe he shoud look at trying to be popular in the ukALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
