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Tripoli, 10 February 2013:
The government is setting aside no special budget for the 17 February celebrations of the second anniversary of . . .[restrict]the revolution, said Prime Minister Ali Zeidan today.
“It will be a popular celebration, as it was last year” said Zeidan at a press conference, adding “ This is because the revolution was the people’s revolution. We haven’t given a budget because we want all Libyans to celebrate in any way that they wish.”
Zeidan said that it was up to the local authorities in towns and cities to decide if they wanted to put on any special events. However he seemed to suggest that it was possible that he himself or President of the General National Congress Mohamed Magarief might join in the celebrations in Benghazi.
The 17 February 2011 was he said, “ a public revolution and we do hope that celebrations and the expressions of happiness and joy are also left to the public.”
Zeidan however warned that while properly authorised demonstrations could express any views that they wished, violence would not be tolerated. It was the government’s duty to defend citizens and property from attacks.
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