French aviation company congratulates 'brother and leader of the Libyan revolution' Gaddafi

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Photo from Bakchich.

It's not unusual for companies in Libya to publicly well-wish "Brother and leader of the Revolution", Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Except when it's... French military aviation company Dassault Aviation.

"Dassault Aviation sends to 'Brother and leader of the revolution', as well as to the people of Libya, its best wishes on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the glorious September 1 revolution". It's this indulgent splurge that greets both Libyans and foreigners alike when they drive into the popular Souk al-Thulatha commercial zone in Tripoli.

Contacted by FRANCE 24, the French aviation company confirmed that it had sent its compliments to the Libyan leader, but gave no further details about who produced the poster. The company's communication service however, told us that the poster was created in the run-up to the 2009 Libyan Aviation Exhibition (Lavex) in October. It also coincided with a project to repair a number of Libyan-owned Dassault Aviation planes, which have received no maintenance since 1992, when a 12-year embargo was placed on the country following the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

On December 10, 2007, Dassault Aviation signed a protocol of agreement with Libya, which launched the negotiation of 14 fighter planes, 35 helicopters, and other military equipment, for the grand total of 4.5 billion euros.

Contributors

“All public and private businesses in Libya do it. They have no choice”

Ghida Twati is a blogger and journalist in Tripoli.

By displaying this poster in an area where there is a huge amount of traffic, the authorities are clearly showing it off. They're trying to prove that the regime enjoys good relationships with overseas companies. It's supposed to promote the image of a ‘new Libya'.

That Dassault Aviation sent its compliments for the anniversary of the revolution is not surprising in itself. All public and private businesses in Libya do it. They have no choice. Company managers who should forget to do this soon find themselves dismissed from their duties.

It's true that the French company did send its compliments, but the poster looks typically Libyan. I'd also say that it looks like whoever designed it works for the official news agency Jamahiriya Press (Jana), which is often complimentary about the regime, and often criticised by citizens for its poor quality of services."

Ghida Touati's picture

Ghida Touati

  • Libya
  • blogger and journalist

Warm words in the streets of Tripoli...

"Warm and loyal regards to our innovative leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. With determination and defiance, we work miracles. From the management of Tripoli airport." Image posted on Flickr by Dan.

 

"Best regards to the leader of victory and defiance. The Libyan Olympics committee and Tripoli airport." Image posted on Flickr by Dan.

 

"Supporters of the Al-Ahli club congratulate you on the 40th anniversary of the September 1 revolution." Image published on the Footballahli.com forum.

.... and on the Libyan Web

"Forty years of glory". Photo published by Said Al-Jihani.

 

"Challenge the world, take pride. We sacrifice body and soul for you." Image published on the alriadhi forum.

 

"We swear that you are a man, a real man." Photo published on the alriadhi forum.

Comments

omg

all the Companies have to send greeting in that day,,and send some flowers too,or coming to the place where the big party will be.
this is something happen in Libya every year,but
they look for them own business they don't` look for anything,all they want our money our oil our Gaz and nothing else ,well they don't` mind if they sit under the sun for 5 hours when they will get the cash another day..

Unregistered user

Posters are nothing but

Posters are nothing but propaganda. All diktators love posters to show people, who's da man. And as long as they publish industry greetings instead of some kind of religious hate parols like in some other Near-East-Countries - as long there is everything ok.

Unregistered user

MS, Keep on encouraging and

MS, Keep on encouraging and justifying (should be by care lack) dictatorship, on slamming whole nations as Religious freaks and on vilifying them ... you know what you are gonna get few years down the road

It always comes as a surprise to me to see such comments... Haven't you yet understood? It is always the same thing, people think they know... boast of their "knowledge" of the region and can't help just keep quiet

Unregistered user

Posters in Libia of Gaddafi

I am not sure of why this media blitz has to be posted on billboards in Libia. I do not know what Gaddafi has done for Libia. However, the insistance of the media that is producing this kind of media on one presidential leader seems a bit one sided. Please tell me why the Libian government has to post these images?

Unregistered user