Tuesday 3 March 2009

VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY UPDATE, MARCH 3

GAZA VILLAGE IS BORN IN MISRATA

The convoy is in Misrata. The hospitality of the Libyan people, government and the Qaddafi Foundation has left the convoy members in tears.

After the the public rally in Tripoli today, they set off with an additional 60 Libyan vehicles loaded with humanitarian aid and medicine towards the coastal town of Misrata. They were met with jubilant ordinary Libyans who hold Palestine and Gaza close to their hearts.

The organizers and the Qaddafi Foundation are ensuring the smooth and safe passage of the convoy through Libya by providing everything the convoy needs ~ from free fuel to accommodation and repairs, etc.

This evening, our drivers and their passengers were being driven in coaches to the newly built and inaugurated GAZA VILLAGE on the outskirt of Misrata. It is a tribute to the memory of the fallen martyrs of Gaza and a message to the children of Palestine from a long standing staunch ally of their just cause.

According to Libyan TV News, this evening, the convoy could reach 300 vehicles by the time it reaches the border. I have just seen the size of some of the HGV's going to Gaza lined up with ours. It is an awesome sight, a mammoth task only made possible by some legendary men and women.

In one of the speeches today in Tripoli, one of the convoy leaders said to the crowd that this convoy was not just a Viva Palestina, British, Islamic, Christian, Arab and European but it was first and foremost humanitarian ~ where all humanity in all its diverse cultures, languages and religions contributed to it.

One of our convoy members said to the Arabic newspaper Libya Elyoum today "This is the best welcome we received. What is different this time is that the authorities did not try to stop the people mingling and getting close to us, nothing was orchestrated, it was natural and spontaneous."

Tomorrow is a big day as Libya celebrates the creation of the Republic (Jamahiria).The convoy will head for SIRT where they will savor Libyan hospitality once again.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE OF MISRATA

'They just would not let us leave without us sharing a banquet lunch with them,' one of our drivers said about the generous and kind people of Misrata.

In the Amman Family Tourist village by the sea,our convoy enjoyed a well deserved break in a 5* setting of chalets and restaurants.

'These people are the most beautiful people we have encountered, they came in their droves from all over Misrata to see us and savor the moment,' another driver said.

It was not until around 4.00pm our time that they set off for RAS LANOUF, their next stop for the night passing through the city of SIRT.

They all seem in high spirits. It is obvious that Libya has provided them with the facilities to recuperate and recharge before pushing on towards Gaza.

George, who is with the convoy, said to Libya Elyoum newspaper, that it is thanks to the Qaddafi Foundation and its head Seyf El-Islam Qaddafi, that this convoy is enjoying a smooth crossing of Libya, and that he was keen to establish a partnership with this foundation to guarantee the success of the convoy. He also said that 'we say little and achieve much'

George said that the Libyan contingent of about 100 trucks 'knows the road to Gaza' because they are better than any map in the world in helping our drivers get to their ultimate destination safely.

He goes on to add that a number of British and Egyptian personalities are expected to join the convoy in Egypt including members of parliament and film stars.

As I am writing, they are now stopping KHAZZAN ALKARDABIA where a festive 'gala dinner' awaits them. They will then set off for Ras Lanouf for their overnight stay.

GEORGE GALLOWAY SPEAKS PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE CONVOY ~ SURELY HE IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS AND FINE HUMANITARIANS OF ALL TIME ~ WHAT GEORGE HAS SET IN MOTION WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN ~ HE HAS, AS ALWAYS, WORKED FOR GOOD AGAINST THE MINDSET OF HIS PEERS AND REMINDED US ALL OF THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF HUMANKIND AND OUR ABILITY TO COME TOGETHER ~ ALL RACES AND CREEDS ~ TO WORK IN UNITY FOR A COMMON CAUSE!


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