Press
Release


th
Baniwalid
Feb
17 
Revolution
Meeting,

th
Istanbul,
May
28
–
29 ,
2011

Over 100 Libyan community leaders and professionals from Baniwalid in Libya are
meeting today in Istanbul to underline their common stance with the entire Libyan
population to work towards the end of dictatorship and build a free democratic nation
that respects human rights and social justice.

In the meeting they will reaffirm that Libya is one, and emphasize the following
points:

• The full participation of Baniwalid city in the February 17th revolution, which
will alleviate the suffering and loss of lives in Misrata and the Western
mountain cities.
• The urgent need to end tyranny, and seek an end to bloodshed and the siege of
Libyan cities.
• Their strong will to remove Gaddafi and his sons immediately from any
positions or influence in Libya, and to allow the Libyan people to choose their
own path.

Baniwalid is one of the most strategically important towns in Libya, at the crossroads
between Benghazi in the East, Sabha in the South, Misrata, Tripoli and the Western
Mountain region. Moreover, Baniwalid is the social and communal center of more
than a million Libyan citizens of the 52 Wirfalla clans, which span the entire length
and breadth of Libya.

Baniwalid holds a position of vital strategic importance, and is being aggressively

targeted by the regime, which has focused its security forces there to instill fear, and
spread propaganda. Despite this, during the Libyan uprising, Baniwalid citizens have
taken to the streets protesting against the regime's cruelty, and several security
headquarters were set ablaze. For last three decades Baniwalid has been at the mercy
of Gaddafi government aggression, including the execution and expulsion of its
inhabitants, and the destruction and isolation of the city.

Istanbul was chosen as the venue of this meeting:

· To show gratitude to the Turkish people and government for their moral,
financial and political support for the Libyan people at this critical time, which
will not be forgotten.
• To recognize Turkey's humanitarian support for all Libyan people in need,
especially in sending aid and receiving the injured to Turkish hospitals.
• As Istanbul and Turkey represent a safe space for open discussion, which is
not currently available in many parts of Libya.

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Press
Release

th
Baniwalid
Feb
17 
Revolution
Meeting,

th
Istanbul,
May
28
–
29 ,
2011

• To pay due respect to the historical, economic, and personal ties between the
Turkish and Libyan people, and the leading role that Turkey has adopted in the
Islamic world and in the international community to support human rights,
social justice and economic development.

Baniwalid Council for the Revolution of February 17th

Istanbul, May 27th 2011

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