Thread: Cameron and Sarkozy given heroes' welcome in Tripoli

David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy were given a heroes' welcome in Tripoli today as they made a surprise visit.

The British and French leaders were welcomed by medical staff, chanting 'thank you, thank you' and 'Libya is free, Gaddafi go away' as they visited Tripoli Medical Centre in the heart of the capital.

In chaotic scenes, security men had to force a way through for the two premiers as they were mobbed by ecstatic Libyans eager to thank them and shake their hands.

The two leaders are hugely popular in Libya, where common graffiti slogans include: "Merci Sarkozy!" and "Thank you Britain!"

And, standing alongside the heads of the new Libyan regime, the British Prime Minister said: 'The message, I think, to Gaddafi and all those still holding arms on his behalf is "It is over, give up".

'The mercenaries should go home, those who still think Gaddafi has any part in any part of government of any part of this country should forget it, he doesn't. It is time for the Libyan people to get the justice they deserve by seeing him face justice."


'It's over. Give yourself up': Cameron's message to Gaddafi as he jets into Libya for talks with new leaders


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By Oliver Pickup
15th September 2011
Daily Mail

David Cameron told Muammar Gaddafi 'it's over, give up' as he made a surprise visit to Libya today to meet its new leaders.

The Prime Minister and French president Nicolas Sarkozy landed in Tripoli amid extraordinary security, becoming the first Western leaders to visit Libya since Gaddafi was ousted.

The pair, who were instrumental in pushing the international community to support the country's rebel forces, were holding talks with its new leaders about how to rebuild the nation.

Mr Cameron is the first British prime minister to visit the country since Tony Blair, who notoriously agreed a 'deal in the desert' with Gaddafi back in 2004.


David Cameron is mobbed by Libyans outside the Tripoli Medical Centre in Libya today


Mr Cameron arrives at the Corinthia hotel in central Tripoli during the surprise visit to the Libyan capital

Gaddafi's 42-year-reign of the oil-rich region is now over after rebels finally stormed Tripoli last month.

However fighting is still going on in regime strongholds as rebel forces continue to hunt for the dictator, who is now on the run.

Mr Cameron, standing alongside the heads of the new regime, said: 'The message, I think, to Gaddafi and all those still holding arms on his behalf is "It is over, give up".

'The mercenaries should go home, those who still think Gaddafi has any part in any part of government of any part of this country should forget it, he doesn't. It is time for the Libyan people to get the justice they deserve by seeing him face justice.'

Mr Cameron said the Nato mission would continue 'for as long as is necessary' as 'there are parts of Libya still under Gaddafi control'.

He said: 'The very clear message is that they should all give themselves up and they should all face justice for the crimes they have undoubtedly committed.'


Gaddafi is now widely mocked in graffiti

Interim Libyan leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil had earlier met both men before they were flown by helicopter to Tripoli Medical Centre in the heart of the capital.

There they received a hero's welcome from medical staff, chanting 'thank you, thank you' and 'Libya is free, Gaddafi go away'.

In chaotic scenes, security men had to force a way through for the two premiers as they were mobbed by ecstatic Libyans eager to thank them and shake their hands.


Helicopters carrying Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron and (right) the Prime Minister shakes on his jacket


David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy land in Libya for talks with the rebel leaders

The leaders then spoke to rebel fighters and the injured as well as patients recovering from being tortured in Gaddafi's prison cells.

Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy went on for private talks with Mr Jalil and Mr Jibril at Tripoli's Corinthia Hotel before speaking publicly alongside the new leadership.

The Prime Minister said he was 'proud' of Britain's role as he and the French president appeared with the heads of the National Transitional Council.

'Can I say what an honour it is to be here in Tripoli with you to see how the Libyan people are taking their country back and taking it forward to a new era,' he said.

'I am hugely impressed by what I have seen and I am very proud to be standing here and ... that Britain has played a part in helping you.

'But it is your revolution and we wish you well and we will be with you every step of the way. We stand ready to help but we want to know what it is you most want us to do.'


David Cameron hailed Libya's new era and spoke of his pride at Britain's involvement in its liberation

Read more: David Cameron Libya visit: 'Gaddafi, give yourself up' says PM | Mail Online

All this is fine (and i mean it), but what about Syria now ?

Aaah, the Daily Fail. Mr Cameron shakes on his jacket. Really. Who writes this stuff? More to the point, who reads it?

I'm going to wait and see who/what is going to run the new Libyan govt before I declare what went down there a victory.