Minister Terzi comments on first free and democratic elections in Libya

ROME, Italy, July 9, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- “The holding of the first free and democratic elections is a source of special satisfaction for Italy, which was among the first to believe in the new Libya”, commented Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi, underscoring how “despite some isolated episodes of violence, which we deeply regret, the Libyan people have demonstrated how strongly they believe in their new-found democracy by turning out in numbers, and in an orderly and respectful manner; also significant was the high turnout among women voters”, Terzi underscored.
“Yesterday's vote”, Terzi continued, “was a watershed in that country's history, and a decisive step forward in consolidating the democratic process according to the indications of the international community”.
“Italy will continue to support the Libyan people”, Terzi concluded, “encouraging them along the path to stronger democratic institutions and political economic and social development as outlined in January's Tripoli Declaration.”
Bearing witness to Italy's lasting humanitarian commitment, 16 Libyans wounded in last year's revolt against the Gaddafi regime arrived in Italy for medical treatment. Two of them were children, who were taken to the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, where they are to be treated in a special ward set up for the purpose. The operation had been coordinated over recent weeks by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Region of Lazio, within the framework of a solidarity project that envisages the transfer to Italy of up to 1500 wounded Libyans.