GMA off to Libya on Sept 1

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo will visit Libya on Sept. 1 upon the invitation of Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi to attend the 40th Anniversary of the Great Al Fateh Revolution, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced yesterday.

The DFA said the Libyan government has invited leaders and dignitaries from several countries to attend the anniversary celebration.

The visit from Sept. 1-2 will sustain the excellent ties that have existed between the Philippines and Libya since 1976, when diplomatic ties were established.

Libya has played a significant role in bringing peace and development in Southern Philippines, and was instrumental to the conclusion of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between GRP and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Since the 1970s, high-level official visits have been frequent.

The visit will provide the President an opportunity to reiterate her request for Libya’s continuous support for the Philippine peace process as well as for the Philippines’ bid for OIC Observer status, as discussed during her bilateral meeting with the Libyan leader last July 16, 2009 at the sidelines of the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. – Pia Lee-Brago