I welcome the sheikhs to the military city — the factory of loyal men devoted to their homeland and people.
The Armed Forces derive their legitimacy and strength from the broad popular support that surrounds them and believes in their ability to achieve victory.
The people feel reassured when they see their sheikhs and wise men standing with the army; they know then that they are moving in the right direction and that the nation is safe.
The support of the sheikhs and elders is the fuel that gives us power and confidence, reinforcing our sense that we are not standing alone in the face of challenges.
Our enemies and those who harbor hatred toward us are shocked and devastated when they witness such meetings.
They realize that their conspiracies, deceit, misleading media campaigns, and attempts to undermine the reputation of the Armed Forces have ended in failure.
Our enemies will continue their efforts to tarnish the image of the Armed Forces and to attack their professionalism, discipline, and absolute loyalty to God and the homeland.
Experience has proven that great national goals can only be achieved when they are embraced by the people through their own free will.
When the people decide upon something, it becomes inevitable — no power on earth can stop them.
If it were not for the people’s decision to confront terrorism during the Operation Dignity battle, and for the tribes’ sacrifices of their dearest sons without awaiting permission from anyone, victory would not have been achieved.
The homeland is going through a suffocating political crisis that has lasted too long. We have done everything in our power to reach a fair and comprehensive peace for the sake of building the state.
However, the political crisis has worsened, becoming a threat to the safety and unity of the nation, and has caused citizens’ suffering, the spread of corruption, and the plundering of wealth.
The crisis has led to the absence of the rule of law and state authority, while the struggle for power has become the dominant feature.
I warn everyone of the seriousness of the situation and stress the necessity for the people themselves to address the political crisis — today, not tomorrow.
The people must not wait for solutions as if waiting for gifts. We appreciate both local and international efforts that have tried to address the Libyan crisis.
Rest assured that your Armed Forces are well and constantly progressing from good to better.
We affirm our determination to continue our struggle without pause — together we shall build a people, an army, and a Libyan state that is stable, secure, and free from terrorism and extremism.
