"To pave the way for free democratic elections in Libya, the UN must work with the Libyan people and the Libyan opposition to bring back the 1951 Libyan constitution and to put Gaddafi and his regime on trial for crimes against humanity." Statement by HRH Prince Mohamed El-Senoussi, the Crown Prince of Libya, on the 36th anniversary of the 1 September 1969 military coup in Libya.
On 1st September 1969, a military coup led by Gaddafi illegally seized power in Libya. Gaddafi replaced the 1951 Libyan Constitution that had been approved and set by the UN as a key condition of granting Libya independence, with his tyrannical regime. To this day this illegal regime continues to be synonymous with murder, torture, oppression, the imprisonment of thousands of innocent Libyans and the theft of the wealth of a nation.
In recent years this wealth has been stolen and used by Gaddafi to lure foreign companies and governments - not for the good of the Libyan people but solely and entirely to protect and preserve himself and his family in power.
The Libyan people have watched and become disappointed as government after government, previously all insistent that under a new era of ethical foreign policy no deal could ever be made with terrorists and tyrants as everyone in every country has a right to freedom and democracy, allowed themselves to become the new friends of this murderous tyrant. Government after government preferred to stand with a dictator and not with the millions of people whom this dictator continues to oppress.
But the Libyan people are strong with a proud history of fighting for their independence, their freedom and their rights. Contrary to Gaddafi’s claims that there is no opposition to his illegal tyranny, the Libyan opposition has come together and united under their flag of independence with clear objectives – to restore the 1951 Libyan Constitution and so pave the way for democratic elections.
This is now the aim of the vast majority of Libyans - Libyans have been demonstrating in the UK, Holland, Sweden, Germany and today in the USA outside the UN building in NY. Millions are ready to demonstrate against Gaddafi in Libya were they to have the right to do so and not fear for their lives.
Libyans are united inside and outside Libya with a clear message: Gaddafi and his regime must leave and be put on trial for their crimes. Constitutional government must be restored in Libya. Freedom and democracy must rule so that Libyans once again can live in peace and as full and respected members of the international community. In the end the Libyan people will be victorious as their struggle against tyranny is just.
Mohamed El-Senoussi
New York, 1 September 2005
