Gaddafi's Forty Years in Power Celebrated with a 'Gallery of Grotesques'
THE INDEPENDENT: War crimes suspect and notorious Somali pirate turn out for anniversary party

The celebrations marking Colonel Gaddafi's 40th anniversary as Libya's dictator lit up the Tripoli sky last night as a number of international pariahs, described by one diplomat as a "gallery of grotesques", gathered to enjoy a lavish parade, dance spectacles and fighter jets streaking overhead.

The celebration was meant to be the crowning act in Gaddafi's rehabilitation on the international stage, but the Libyan leader's respectability, already undermined by the controversy raging over the release of the only convicted Lockerbie bomber, was further eroded by accusations that a notorious Somali pirate leader was among the VIPs in attendance.

Mohammed Abdi Afweyne, a confessed leader of one of the largest pirate gangs that has been terrorising shipping off the Horn of Africa, has been in Tripoli since Saturday, according to sources in Somalia.

Government sources refused to confirm or deny the presence of Afweyne, the leader of a gang of hijackers that seized control of the MV Faina, a Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with tanks and heavy weapons. Reports also suggest that Afweyne had met with senior Libyan officials.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese ruler who is indicted for war crimes in Darfur, were among those enjoying the party which was expected to go on until dawn.

The only European leader to accept an invitation to the opening of the week-long extravaganza marking the Libyan leader's 40 years in power was the Maltese President George Abela. France and Italy were represented at ministerial level while Britain attempted to distance itself by sending an embassy chargé d'affaires, Mark Matthews. The British Government has been deeply embarrassed by repeated accusations that it traded the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber in return for Libyan oil and gas. Britain's ambassador to Libya, Vincent Fean, took the opportunity to visit Malta instead of staying for the party, while in private British diplomats were said to be deeply concerned with the content of last night's show.

As dozens of world leaders were seated behind bulletproof glass to watch the festivities, only Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez broke away from the heavy security to joke with reporters. >>> Daniel Howden in Tripoli | Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Libyans Receive Al-Megrahi’s Release with Open Hands, Shocked at His State of Health
THE TRIPOLI POST: Tripoli, Libya-- Libyans are celebrating this evening the return of their beloved son, Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi, with thousands are [sic] waiting for his plane to land at Ma’atiqa International airport.

However, those who have had the chance to see today’s photos of Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi in such a bad state of his health [sic] are expressing their shock and some of them could not help but drop some tears on their faces.

Many are blaming the Scottish authorities for not taking care of Megrahi’s health while in prison and speculate that he was left, on purpose, to die of his cancer.

The statement made by the Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, who said Thursday “Mr Al-Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power. It is one that no court, in any jurisdiction, in any land, could revoke or overrule. It is terminal, final and irrevocable. He is going to die,” is being viewed by many Libyans as a case in point.

This statement reads as if the Scottish authorities have made sure that Megrahi dies within days from his release. In other words, Libyans are now convinced that the Megrahi case could be viewed as a premeditated murder on the part of the Scottish prison authorities.

However, despite such down feeling many are celebrating Megrahi’s return home.

The news of the long anticipated release of Abdelbaset Ali Al-Megrahi has provoked wide excitement among Libyans. The glad tidings came at a time when Libyans are already in preparation of the grand celebrations of the 40th Anniversary of the Great Al Fatah Revolution and welcoming of the holy month of Ramadhan.

Many of those interviewed by The Tripoli Post expressed a big sigh of relief for Al-Megrahi’s final return especially at a time when the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan is commencing. Ramadan is regarded as a symbolic Muslim month which symbolizes forgiveness, happiness and reunion. >>> Staff Writer, The Tripoli Post | Thursday, August 20, 2009