By Aimen Eljali.
Tripoli, 22 August 2013:
A concert is planned in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square tomorrow evening to mark the capital’s liberation two . . .[restrict]years ago. Libyan, Tunisian and other Arab musicians and singers are to perform.
Supported by the Ministries of Social Affairs and of Education as well as Tripoli Local Council, the concert was planned for 20 August, the actual day of the anniversary, but was delayed to Friday because of logistical issues, according to the organisers.
Other than that, however, there has been a noticeable lack of any celebrations in a city that normally needs no excuse for impromptu parties and the letting off of fireworks.
“I’ve heard and seen nothing about celebrations this year,” said Ahmed, a Tripoli student.
On Tuesday and yesterday, there were a few scattered efforts at partying with a few fireworks going off and the occasional vehicle driving round draped in the Libyan flag. There was also a burst of ships’ horns in the harbour for about half an hour. But other than that, nothing.
Nowhere has this been more in evidence than the Tripoli district of Fashloum. Prior to liberation, it was the capital’s key cenre of opposition to the regime. Since then, it has mounted the biggest and most festive events to celebrate the revolution. But not this week.
Residents of Fashloum told the Libya Herald that there was no point celebrating when there was no real liberation. “We do not feel the taste of happiness, security and stability,” one resident said, “nor did we have any benefit from the government. People are now feeling insecure and live in fear because of killings that are being witnessed all over Libya”.
Others complained about poverty. Almost all those spoken to by the Libya Herald accused the government and Congress of complicity in Libya’s insecurity. [/restrict]
