Euphoria and anxiety for Manchester’s Libyan exiles
Thousands of Libyan exiles in Manchester celebrated during the fall of Tripoli, but the mood is punctuated with fear for the safety of relatives back home – as Jane Deith reports.
The invite came in text message – Libya is Free – Celebration on Wilmslow Road. In Manchester’s mini tripoli they were willing the rebels to victory.
They’re thousands of miles away, but it felt like the new Libya was so close – they could reach out and touch it.
Malik Tabib and Ahmed Ben Ramadan felt the excitement – but sense the danger too.
Two months ago Ahmed’s brother in law, Sheikh Mustafa Graf was in prison in Tripoli – he was arrested helping his parents escape.
Malik Tabib’s father had been arrested and threatened – but risked going back to Tripoli again
“We know they’re freeing all the prisoners in Tripoli but there’s no news yet as there’s no way for him to get in touch with us .. hopefully we’ll hear something soon though,” Ahmed told me.
Last night was excitement – but in the uncertain light of day Libyans here are cautious – they know Libya’s not free yet. However, they have faith it will be, soon.
Saad Essadeg, in exile for 20 years, thought no one would ever prise Libya out of Gaddafi’s hands.
“My dominant emotion is disbelief – this wasn’t on the cards, the change of attitudes, in our youth in the arab world, leading to these blessed revolution.
“I can’t believe we’re getting rid of those dictators… We’re very humbled by our youth and we really hope they will get from this revolution what they wanted.”
What they want in Manchester is a new Libya – built on freedom not fear. Is it about to come true?
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