Tripoli?Libya indeed has lost a friend in the death of J. Christopher Stevens, the Ambassador of the United States of America as a result of the uncalled for attack on the American consulate in Benghazi on Tuesday 11 September 2012.
The violent death of such nice gentleman man who sincerely aimed to deepen and strengthen the bilateral relations between Libya and the US has brought deep sadness and sorrow to a great number of Libyans everywhere.
Ambassador Stevens was a proactive diplomat who tried all means to reach out to the Libyan people and did his best to show everyone that he cared and wanted to be part of the Libyan culture and society.
In this way he was an excellent diplomat who served the interests of his country well and in the process received respect and appreciation from the people around him.
It must have been the sincerity of his intentions that has made many Libyans feel they truly lost a dear person by the way they received the news of his death. All have expressed shock and sadness.
Ambassador Stevens interacted with the Libyan people freely and without reservations believing that the world can only be a better and peaceful place when one shows that he/she respected and loved the other rather than ignored or discriminated against that other. He did respect Libyans and made them feel he was one of them.
Ambassador Stevens worked hard to build bridges between the peoples of Libya and America. He seemed sincerely happy when he opened the US visa section in Tripoli on 26 August after many decades of closure.
As shrewd diplomat, Ambassador Stevens must have considered the opening of the visa section an important step for a meaningful rapprochement between Tripoli and Washington. He saw such significant accomplishment as an important step forward on the road of rebuilding trust between the two countries and as vital service to thousands of Libyans and Americans who longed for meeting each other half way and cooperate.
In a reception held by the US Embassy in Tripoli on Sunday 26 August for the official reopening of the embassy's consular section, Ambassador Stevens said "Since returning to Libya as ambassador in May, the one question I have heard almost every day from Libyans is; when are you going to start issuing visas again? Now, at last, you have your answer - tomorrow."
His ever-present, broad sincere smile did indeed penetrate the hearts of many Libyans who in return deeply appreciated such powerful and down-to-earth American diplomat. They appreciated the way he sat down with them on mats and ate their favorite national dish ?bazin?.
On the special occasion of opening the visa section, Ambassador Stevens said "relationships between governments are important, but relationships between people are the real foundation of mutual understanding."
His speech signaled what he wished to see with regard to bilateral Libyan-American relations. He ended it on a very positive note saying: "So, my message to Libyans today, is Ahlan Wa Sahlan Bikom, you're welcome to visit America and there is the door. Thank you"-- pointing at the door that led to visa offices in the embassy premises.
The death of His Excellency constitutes a loss of a friend insofar as the Libyan people are concerned and a loss to an international community that is striving for peace as well.
Source: http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=9175
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