December 24 isn’t a normal day in the history of Libya as it is considered the crux point of its modern history because it was the day of the declaration of independence 68 years ago.
The Interim and National Accord governments announced the day a national holiday, which is a rare agreement between the two governments on a single issue.
The Libyan people on streets and social media platforms expressed happiness, while some Libyans said December 24 is just a regular day and all Libyans will forget afterwards the struggle and sacrifices of the founders of this independence.
Some activists have used the anniversary to express anger over the ongoing chaos in Libya, foreign intervention and conflicts, calling for a strong Libyan state that can preserve its sovereignty and resources.
To keep the independence in place, Libya always needed strong sovereign state institutions, especially military, police and security ones that aren’t controlled by the militias that have wreaked havoc in the country using heavy weapons and political as well as financial extortion to seize power.
No country around the world has continued to flourish and develop while being controlled and run by armed groups and militias, rather all prosperous and secure countries are controlled by regular armies and sovereign institutions that preserve their national unity and integrity.
Libya today celebrates the independence day as it undergoes a test whether to choose to have a state with an army and institutions under the command of law or stay under the control of armed groups.
