Tripoli, 12 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, Libya held a diplomatic reception at the Al Andalus Hotel Tripoli to celebrate the 124th Philippine Independence Day and to commemorate 45 years of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Libya. This is the first diplomatic reception since 2009.

The event was attended by the diplomatic community in Libya as well as the officials of the Libyan Government.

In his speech, Charge d’Affaires, e.p., Juan E. Dayang, Jr., reiterated the Independence Day message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. highlighting that modern-day Filipinos all over the world must continue to rise to the challenges of a new tomorrow. He said that despite the political and security challenges Libya has faced in the past 12 years, Filipinos remain to care for and support the people of Libya in the best and worst days of their lives.

CDA Dayang also shared that Libya played a crucial role in the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) through the 1976 Tripoli Agreement. As a return gesture, he expressed his desire for Libya to achieve lasting peace and stability and committed to help Libya in rebuilding its nation. He concluded that cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries remain strong to this day.

CDA Dayang also bade farewell to the diplomatic community as he ends his tour in Tripoli as Head of Mission this month. END