AFRICA/LIBYA - Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, “a little more optimistic that the crisis can be resolved peacefully”, says statement issued by Christian Churches

Monday, 11 April 2011

LIBYA

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Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - “I am a little more optimistic that the crisis can be resolved peacefully. The ceasefire is the first step, then the two parties have to find some way of communicating to arrive at agreement on the transition,” says Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli. Libyan leader Muhammar Gheddafi has in fact accepted the ceasefire with the insurgents and with the international coalition who intervened in Libyan events in accordance with resolution 1973 of the UN Security Council. This was announced by South African President Jacob Zuma, who along with three other African leaders and representatives of the African Union, met the Libyan leader yesterday, 10 April, in Tripoli. The South African delegation presented a peace plan which calls for: an immediate ceasefire, an end to the obstacles posed by the regime to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Libyan people, protection for foreign citizens, and dialogue between the Government and the rebels in Tripoli on political issues.
“The Christian Churches present in Libya want to support this process,” says Bishop Martinelli. “I just returned from an important meeting with the World Islamic Call Society, at which, together with the different Christian communities in Tripoli, we expressed the desire to develop a joint communiqué calling for the crisis to be resolved soon and for an end to the bloodshed. By tomorrow we will draft the text and deliver it on Wednesday, 13 April, to the United Nations. Our partners,” says the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, “have expressed deep appreciation for this step by the Christian Churches.” There are five Christian communities in Tripoli: Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox Church, the Uniting and the Anglican Church.
“I want to express my thanks for the freedom with which we can continue to follow our community, even if it is reduced to a minimum,” says Bishop Martinelli. “Yesterday we celebrated two Masses which were attended by a number of faithful. Now we are preparing for Holy Week, hoping that Easter is really a sign of peace and reconciliation,” says the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2011)