Gaddafi backs peace process

A son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi reiterated yesterday his country’s support for the government’s peace process in Mindanao, Malacañang said yesterday.

Saif al-Islam Moammar al-Gaddafi is here for a three-day visit.

In a statement, Malacañang said  Saif al-Islam, president of the Gaddafi Foundation for Charity Associations and Development, assured Presisdent Arroyo of Libya’s continued support for the government’s peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.

Present during Saif al-Islam’s call on Mrs. Arroyo were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Libyan Ambassador Salem Adam, and Libyan Embassy official Sadek Osman.

Dureza said Saif al-Islam’s  visit underscored Libya’s important role in the ongoing efforts to establish a permanent peace in Mindanao.

“Libya will continue helping us in the peace and development efforts, especially in southern Philippines,” he said. “It is a continuation of what has been started in 1976.”

Since the 1976 Tripoli Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front, Libya has been very supportive of the peace efforts in Mindanao, Dureza said.

Award for Gaddafi son

Speaker Jose de Venecia awarded on Wednesday night the Congressional Medal of Achievement to Saif al-Islam in recognition of his significant role in humanitarian activities and the peace process in Mindanao.

“You are one of the outstanding young leaders recognized in the international community,” De Venecia said as he bestowed the award on Gaddafi’s son in ceremonies witnessed by  members of the House of Representatives and the diplomatic corps.

A special guest  was Dr. Martin Luther King III, who runs the Centre for Non-Violent Social Change founded by his martyred father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The same award was bestowed by De Venecia to Col. Moammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli in 2003.

In the citation, the Award recognized Saif al-Islam for the protracted negotiations he conducted on behalf of Libya, resulting in the “unprecedented settlement of the 1988 Lockerbie incident in 2003” and in the lifting of economic and political sanctions against Libya imposed by the United Nations.

The Award said that Saif al-Islam also helped to scuttle Libya’s nuclear weapons program in 2003, making the announcement that was acclaimed by the world.

The Award also recognized him for standing courageously against extremism and excessive Islamic fundamentalism “that were beginning to blow across the deserts of Northern Africa.”             – Paolo Romero