[BC省新聞] Local Libyans bring their elation to the streets 2011, living, leader, bring, their

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Local Libyans bring their elation to the streetsThey call Gadhafi worse than a dictatorRenee Bernard
Oct 21, 2011 06:31:33 AM



VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - They waved pompoms, blew noisemakers and held their flags high. Libyans living in the Vancouver-area gathered in front of the Vancouver Public Library last night to revel in the news that leader Moammar Gadhafi is dead.

"It's bigger than the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup. It's bigger than anything else," says Kal Manseri, who was among about 50 other people gathered to share their elation that the era that brought 40-some years of hardship and cruelty has finally come to an end.

"He wasn't just a dictator. He was worse than a dictator," he adds. "He tortured Libyans and he killed them. Every day, we feared we would be next."

Naser Sayeh is a doctor who was just recently in Libya, tending to the rebels on the frontlines and says his family still suffers. "My father-in-law was one of Gadhafi's victims. He was in jail for nine years, and was released in 1987. He was captured again in 2002. But since then, we have no idea where he is."

Salwa Elmalti is a physician training in Canada and says practicing her trade in Libya was frustrating. "There were lots of patients who waited for simple treatment and didn't get it. Our hospitals are very primitive. We have the skills and knowledge but the country had no interest in improving the health system."

Many in the crowd tell us the celebrating will go on for days

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Libyans celebrate the death of Moammar Gadhafi downtown Vancouver

Libyans celebrate on Georgia Street downtown following the death of Moammar Gadhafi.