A thread on events in Libyan history that shaped #Gaddafi’s enigmatic visit to Rome.
Gaddafi was a passionate student of history, having delved deeply into history was what formed his personality.
To understand his actions, one needs but to thoroughly read history.
[1/23]
Gaddafi was a passionate student of history, having delved deeply into history was what formed his personality.
To understand his actions, one needs but to thoroughly read history.
[1/23]
2] After a lifetime of severed relations & diplomatic unease, Italy agrees to formally #acknowledge & #apologise to the Libyan people for a brutal occupation that inflicted decades of massacre, everlasting heart-ache and bereavement.
3] Italy signs to compensate #Libya for the damages and misdeeds a sum of $5billion —to be paid as a yearly $200million over the next 25 years — to be put into construction projects, student grants & pensions for Libyan soldiers forced to fight in Italy’s ranks during WW2.
4] An accord of friendship was signed after the formal apology ceremony, ending 40 years of strife.
#Omar_Mukhtar’s grandson was there to behold the day that shall forever live in Libyan history.
Italy’s #Berlusconi bows to kiss the old man’s hand.
#Omar_Mukhtar’s grandson was there to behold the day that shall forever live in Libyan history.
Italy’s #Berlusconi bows to kiss the old man’s hand.
5] As a gesture of goodwill, #Berlusconi handed back to Libya the #Statue_of_Venus that was taken from Libya to Rome during the colonial rule.
6] #Gaddafi said on that historical day :
“ The Libyan people were attacked in their homes & endured many injustices they therefore deserve this apology and compensation. It is a historic moment that we behold the defeat of colonialism “
“ The Libyan people were attacked in their homes & endured many injustices they therefore deserve this apology and compensation. It is a historic moment that we behold the defeat of colonialism “
7] 10/06/2009
#Muammer_Gaddafi Lands in former colonial ruler for the first time at the head of a grand convoy aboard three Airbus airliners.
#Muammer_Gaddafi Lands in former colonial ruler for the first time at the head of a grand convoy aboard three Airbus airliners.
8] In an attempt to bluff, #Berlusconi claimed his medical condition may get in the way of him making it to the tarmac to receive Gaddafi.
Word of such foul play got to #Gaddafi before landing & he warned that he’d instantly turn back & the scrap all that was achieved
Word of such foul play got to #Gaddafi before landing & he warned that he’d instantly turn back & the scrap all that was achieved
9] #Berlusconi was no fool, he was trying to save his face as he knew #Gaddafi would not miss such a historical opportunity to overshadow everyone & insult colonial Italy in every way possible.
Berlusconi yet bemused, managed to Make it to welcome Gaddafi and his delegation.
Berlusconi yet bemused, managed to Make it to welcome Gaddafi and his delegation.
10]#Gaddafi’s entrance held the audience captives.
Pinned to his clothing was a picture of the emblem of Libyan resistance #Omar_Mukhtar surrounded by his Italian captors.
Later asked by the press of the reason behind wearing it
“for us, it’s like wearing the cross” he said.
Pinned to his clothing was a picture of the emblem of Libyan resistance #Omar_Mukhtar surrounded by his Italian captors.
Later asked by the press of the reason behind wearing it
“for us, it’s like wearing the cross” he said.
11] With minimal resources & military experience, the people of #Libya fought courageously against Colonial Italy.
Thousands of resistance fighters either fell martyred in battle or were captured & #publicly_hanged to instil fear in any other that may contemplate lifting arms.
Thousands of resistance fighters either fell martyred in battle or were captured & #publicly_hanged to instil fear in any other that may contemplate lifting arms.
12]So Amidst his delegation #Gaddafi had to bring the grandchildren of martyrs that fell in battle against colonial Italy.
They lined up on the red carpet & #Gaddafi introduced #Berlusconi to their names, their grandfather's names& the names of battles where they fought&martyred
They lined up on the red carpet & #Gaddafi introduced #Berlusconi to their names, their grandfather's names& the names of battles where they fought&martyred
13] It came as no surprise to anyone when #Omar_Mukhtar’s grandson himself was carried down airstair, it seems only fitting for him to witness such victory & moral boost.
15] [2009]
In a very similar welcoming to that which Mussolini received, #Gaddafi walked the red carpet at the #Ciampino_International_Airport alongside Libyan men & women that were once the helpless easy targets.
In a very similar welcoming to that which Mussolini received, #Gaddafi walked the red carpet at the #Ciampino_International_Airport alongside Libyan men & women that were once the helpless easy targets.
16] [1930s]
Bedouin tents where the only sanctuary for the people of Libya.
They were ploughed off the ground & burnt by Italian militants in every village throughout the vast Libyan desert.
Bedouin tents where the only sanctuary for the people of Libya.
They were ploughed off the ground & burnt by Italian militants in every village throughout the vast Libyan desert.
17] [2009]
Upon his arrival, #Gaddafi — a proud Bedouin — pitched his tent on the park outside the #Villa_Doria_Pamphili in memory of all those innocent Libyans that faced colonial Italy’s wrath and inhumanity.
Upon his arrival, #Gaddafi — a proud Bedouin — pitched his tent on the park outside the #Villa_Doria_Pamphili in memory of all those innocent Libyans that faced colonial Italy’s wrath and inhumanity.
19] [2009]
#Gaddafi Waves to a vast crowd from the high balcony of #Capitol_Square as he finishes his short speech were he lambasted imperialsm, linked the US to Al-qaeda & accused it of turning the prosperous #Iraq into a war-torn state where extremism came to blossom.
#Gaddafi Waves to a vast crowd from the high balcony of #Capitol_Square as he finishes his short speech were he lambasted imperialsm, linked the US to Al-qaeda & accused it of turning the prosperous #Iraq into a war-torn state where extremism came to blossom.
20] [1937]
#Mussolini parading the streets of Benghazi, Tobrouk and Tripoli during the colonial-era.
#Mussolini parading the streets of Benghazi, Tobrouk and Tripoli during the colonial-era.
21] [2009]
#Muammer_Gaddafi Parading the #Piazza_Venezia in Rome while Greeting the people of Italy from the sunroof of his limousine in his trademark robes.
#Muammer_Gaddafi Parading the #Piazza_Venezia in Rome while Greeting the people of Italy from the sunroof of his limousine in his trademark robes.
22] During his visit to Libya, #Mussolini had the brass neck to force Libyan women of the 1900s to sit before him & scholar them on the teachings of Christianity.
23] [2009]
#Gaddafi saw it incumbent to speak before a crowd of women, Muslim & Christian, white & black.
Gaddafi touched on several topics.
In a prosaic attempt to stain #Gaddafi, imperialist media& it’s tools in Arab media claim attendees were paid €3K each..HOGWASH ofc.
#Gaddafi saw it incumbent to speak before a crowd of women, Muslim & Christian, white & black.
Gaddafi touched on several topics.
In a prosaic attempt to stain #Gaddafi, imperialist media& it’s tools in Arab media claim attendees were paid €3K each..HOGWASH ofc.
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