‘A Blatant Violation’: Sahrawis Dismiss Pompeo’s Announcement of US Consulate in Moroccan-Occupied Western Sahara
The move comes two weeks after the U.S. became the first country to recognize Morocco s claim of sovereignty in the illegally occupied territory.Brett Wilkins Posted on
Sahrawi independence advocates defiantly dismissed an announcement Thursday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the United States would open a “virtual” diplomatic mission in Western Sahara as a first step toward establishing a permanent consulate in the Moroccan-occupied territory.
Pompeo said in a statement that the US was “inaugurating a virtual presence post for Western Sahara, with a focus on promoting economic and social development, to be followed soon by a fully functioning consulate.”
Text size
Libya on Thursday celebrated the 69th anniversary of its independence with military parades held in the centre of the capital Tripoli under tight security.
Hundreds of Libyans carrying the red, green and black national flag gathered at central Tripoli s Martyrs Square formerly known as Green Square, where toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi often delivered speeches.
The head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, and members of his cabinet, all wearing masks due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, attended a midday parade of military and police forces.
The area was closed to traffic from Wednesday and police vehicles deployed around the square. A stage was set up for speeches and patriotic songs to be performed before a fireworks display after nightfall.
Mapping the Turkish Military s Expanding Footprint - The Washington Post washingtonpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A poem penned during Libya’s 2011 uprising continues to inspire hope Libyan American poet Khaled Mattawa penned Now That We Have Tasted Hope in 2011, on the heels of an uprising in Libya that led to the ousting of President Muammar Gaddafi. Looking back, the poem s message of hope still resonates.
Listen to the story.
In this Oct. 23, 2011, file photo, Libyans celebrate at Saha Kish Square in Benghazi, Libya, as Libya s transitional government declares the official liberation of Libya, after months of bloodshed that culminated in the death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. Credit:
Share
In 2011, protesters in Libya took to the streets to overthrow then-President Muammar Gaddafi as part of a larger wave of uprising throughout the Arab world. Gaddafi escaped Tripoli, the capital, and was later killed while on the run and in hiding.