Libya is changing since the suspension of the embargo, the only taboo is al-Qaddafi
Libya, Politics, 9/7/2000

Every one who lives in Tripoli, diplomats or Libyans, alike, stressed that they can " breathe out" following the changes in the way of living in Libya since April 1999 and the suspension of the International sanctions on this country. Commodity prices have receded and centers for the Internet were founded.

For certain the daily life of the Libyans have changed. Ali (30) said "in the past every thing used to be very expensive and much of the foodstuffs was not available. It was a nightmare. Now every thing has become available and we do feel we come out of our isolation."

The Libyans whose monthly wages estimated at 150 dinars ( US $ 83.3) and work for a second undeclared shift said that the prices of foodstuffs have been receding. The price of tobacco packet receded from 5 dinars to 1.5 dinars and the shoes from 45 to 15 dinars. And even the activity of the black market for commodity and hard currency started to recede.

The return back of first European air companies to Tripoli has given the country a new impetus and encouraged the flow of tourists who attracted to the marvelous Romanian monuments in Libya.

On the sideline, Libya returns back to take part in the football competition for Africa Cup. A matter which has raised joys in the youths, lovers of this sport. Ali told foreign reporters "the evidence on the change is that I can talk to you. Three years ago I was not able even to sit with you, otherwise I will be summoned to make clarifications on that."

Foreign diplomats see this Libyan openness as real even if no official decree is issued to this effect and though the vases of the regime is still the same.

One diplomat said the Libyans have started to complain and were not confined just to talks, noting to a complaint made against a Libyan official who confiscated a plane for internal flights and prevented the Libyan passengers from using it and they were obliged to wait for seven hours at the airport. The diplomat said " they ( the passengers) were very angry and protested against the regime. Three years ago they dare not to do it."

The only thing which is still considered a total taboo in Libya is the Libyan leader who has been in power since 1969 with no body dares to criticize in open and even to mention his name. When the Libyans talks about President Muammar al-Qaddafi they say in a low voice " the guidance" or " He."

However, in its report for the year 2000 for events of 1999, the Amnesty International talked about " several hundreds of political detainees including prisoners of the opinion who are kept in prison and that many of them have been jailed since more 10 years without trials.

The report added that new leaked information stressed resorting to tortures especially in cases of " secret detention."

Previous Stories:
  Libya appoints an opposition as its ambassador to the AL   (9/5/2000)
  Libyan president gets message from King Mohammed   (9/4/2000)
  Libyan celebration of al-Fateh's revolution in Damascus   (9/4/2000)

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