Algiers- in an interview with Ennahar, on the old Gaddafi regime, the Charge d'Affaires at the Libyan Embassy in Algiers, Salem Ben Othman reveals manipulation by that regime, which, according to him, had been created from scratch information to tarnish the image of the fighters of the National Council of transition (NTC).
The Libyan diplomat expressed his optimism about the future relations between Algeria and Libya, and revealed that the Libyan authorities have not received any correspondence from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the fate of Algerian nationals in Libya, especially after the reports of arrests and tortures of Algerian nationals by the NTC fighters.
- How do you see the future of relations between Algeria and Libya?
- The relations between Algeria and Libya are excellent and as deep as the history that links the people of North Africa. These relations can never be questioned, and a delegation of the Libyan NTC will soon visit Algiers to strengthen these relationships.
- Thousands of Algerians decided to return to their country, fleeing the war in Libya, while others have preferred to stay. What about their property in Libya?
- While many Algerians have fled Libya, leaving behind their belongings and everything they own. I would say that the interests of Algerians, who are our brothers, will never be lost and the NTC, in collaboration with the existing interim government, will work to ensure the rights of everyone. I reassure the Algerians who were forced to leave Libya in these difficult times of crisis, that all their goods will be safe and that they can return safely in Libya after the return to peace. May I add something ...
- Please do..
- The consulate of Libya during the crisis, has received many Algerian women married to Libyans. I spoke to them in person in Libya; they were in total solidarity with the Libyan people and decided to stay with their husbands regardless of conditions. They gave an example of courage, known among the Algerian people.
- Let us talk about the Algerians who left Libya. Did they apply to return to Libya?
- We have received no request for return to Libya until today, but there are efforts made to get things back to normal in the coming days or months. This will be achieved with the visit of members of the NTC in Algeria.
- Gaddafi and his son were killed; the family graves have been desecrated, including those of his mother and his uncles. What can you say about this?
- He who watches the Libyan war is not as the one who lives it. You should know that each member of the NTC fighters has lost a family member. Let me cite an example, the man we all saw on televisions, swear and threaten Gaddafi, has lost all his family while he was abroad. On his return, he found no one, all were killed, his children, his wife, his parents.
- How do you see the current situation in Libya after the fall of Gaddafi and the election of a head of an interim government?
- Things started to normalize gradually, although problems remain here and there. Remember, there are 16,000 sophisticated mines in different Libyan cities, like Zenten and Zliten, where NTC fighters are still facing the danger.
Ennahar / Moussa Bounira, 3/11/2011