|
Ahmed Momen a medical student in Libya proudly stands with the flag in his hand as reporters take pictures.
The anti-Gaddafi force fight their way into Sirte on Tuesday as the turmoil in Libya continues.
Libya — the fourth largest country in Africa — has spent the past 42 years under the ruling of Muammar Gaddafi before the civil war erupted on February 15 and pushed Gaddafi from his power in August 2011.
For Nasser Mooman, a Canadian Libyan, freedom is just at the doorstep.
Mooman is originally from the city of Bali Walid, one of the cities that are being held back by Gaddafi forces.
When he visited Libya in August, he went to the outskirts of Bali Walid due to the war.
“There were many empty homes and broken structures as most of the civilians fled Bali Walid due to the war. When Tripoli got liberated most of the Gaddafi loyalists ended up in Bali Walid and Sirte. However, for the last two weeks the fight has got intense,” said Mooman.
At an interview, Mooman told thedailyplanet.com, Libya has come a long way. Since Tripoli was liberated there was scarcity of daily resources. However, with time, life is getting back to normal.
“All my family is in Tripoli and life is finally getting back to normal and the first sign is kids are heading back to school,” said Mooman, “It is not a100 per cent but, The National Transitional Council (NTC) is doing an excellent job. They are just group of educated people from different background forming a body to generate stability for the country which is both courageous and commendable,”
As the unrest in Libya continues doctors, lawyers, and teachers fight in the front line for their country.
Salah Zelentin, a member of the Canadian Libyan Association hopes he could fight for Libya.
“I am 50 years old, and when I read the stories I wish I was there to help. But we as Canadian Libyan’s we are doing as much as we can everyday either by organizing fundraisers, or by spreading the word. It is time to give Libya back to its people,” said Zelentin.
While some hope for the best others consider the reality and difficulty rebuilding the country.
For Canadian Libyan Mohammed Etleb, a 21-year-old, business student at Wilfrid Laurier University, Libya stands in a crossroad where it is too early to say where the country might be heading.
“We try to see the good things but there are also internal disputes which can hamper the progress. I used to say Libya could never be freed from Gaddafi because he will kill them. But knowing the progress in the past eight months I know freedom will be ours,” said Etleb.
|
