On Wednesday, Libya celebrates its National Day. Also known as Revolution Day, this event commemorates the day in 1969 when the monarchy of King Idris I was overthrown by Libyan military officers. The new regime, headed by the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Celebrations for this holiday include fireworks and festivals throughout Libya, with leaders delivering speeches on the country ‘s achievements and progress.

The country has long had close ties with the Philippines, having helped on many occasions in peace negotiations. Situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. Libya has a population of approximately five million. Libya lies between Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. The majority of Libyans are Sunni Muslims. Libya’s official language is Arabic.

Libya has a rich culture as an offshoot of its colorful history. It was inhabited by the Berbers and was ruled in succession by Carthage, Rome, and the Ottomans. Some of the most magnificent ruins of the Roman Empire are found in the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli. For centuries, Libya was a center of commerce, education, and culture.

Italy governed the country after 1912, followed by Britain and France after World War II. Libya became an independent constitutional monarchy on January 2, 1952. In 1969, a junta led by Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi, assumed power. The Qaddafi regime unified Libya's diverse peoples and created a distinct Libyan state and identity. It created new political structures and made a determined effort at diversified economic development financed by oil revenues.

Aside from oil, Libya’s main industries are textiles and food processing. Its primary crops include olives, dates, wheat, and citrus fruits. The nation’s minerals are oil, gas, and gypsum. The government looks after social welfare, subsidizing housing, education, transportation, and other basic services to its people.

Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa by area and 17th largest in the world. The capital, Tripoli, is home to 1.7 million of Libya's 5.7 million people. The three traditional parts of the country are Tripolitania, the Fezzan, and Cyrenaica. Libya has the second highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Africa, behind Equatorial Guinea. This is largely due to its large petroleum reserves and low population.

We congratulate the people and government of Libya led by H.E., President Muammar Qaddafi, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by Charge d’ Affaires Sadek Osman, on the occasion of their National Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.