Naziha Arebi

Back in Libya, on a one way ticket, and I have consumed more tea than a British builder working on the olympic site. Libyans are fantastic hosts and drinking tea or coffee is a national hobby. Its coming out my ears, at least I hope thats what that is.

With the many bombs and attacks at the US consulate, British Embassy convoy, the RED Crescent and the UN, and Tripoli airport in the last week alone, during this time of ‘instability’ before the elections, you would think now, more than ever, is a time for ‘Tea and Sympathy’. However the Libyan psyche is stronger than that. Whilst they admit the country is in chaos, and what country wouldn’t be after 42 years of totalitarianism and over 7 months of war, they are not letting the extremist minorities overshadow the hope amongst the chaos that Libya is now experiencing.

Whilst taking chai this evening (everything topical or political discussed seems to happen over chai or Quhwa) my grandma tutted and gesticulated, in that Mediterranean talking with the hands way, her annoyance at the recent attacks that have taken place. “We won’t let them ruin OUR Libya, they will have to calm down or leave” in that singing Old Tripoli accent. If only it was as simple as that Hani, but she has a point, it makes me think if grandma’s replaced the NTC perhaps Libya would have more of a fighting chance.