I left Libya to improve

The Libyan artist Hamid Al Shaery Cairo - Marwa Yahya The Libyan artist Hamid Al Shaery thinks that launching a Libyan satellite channel “Libya TV”, is appropriate now, in particular that it reflects the real Libyan people, and broadcasts facts that revolve around the country. “The channel is broadcasting from Egypt for the time being”, as he declared to Arabs Today. The concept of the station was basically his brother Majdi’s idea, and programs are operated by free Libyan professional figures. One of the aims of the channel is to show the world that Libya has many intellectuals, and media figures. Gaddafi’s policy made them run away from the country. Personally I left my country when I was 19 years old, trying to learn and improve myself. The one who stayed were obliged to praise him, either for money or for protection” Said Al Shaery. On the reasons behind eclipsing Libyan talents he explained that the only intellectual, talented artist, known internationally was Gaddafi himself. “He was a psychopath, who loved power and himself. His name should be included in all of the ceremonies and art festivals, as the patron of the beaux-arts in Libya”. According to Al Shaery. Al Shaery never met Gaddafi in person; in 2007 he was invited to Seif Al-Islam, gaddafi’s son, birthday party where Seif said that he wanted to see a new Libya, and criticized the political situation, that is why they had no potential to compete with other countries. The young artist was optimistic, until he heard his declaration to the media. He said “I was deceived, Seif was working under his father’s blessing or maybe he was afraid of him.” Approximately a year ago, during the month of November he was asked by Seif El Islam, to participate in an operetta on the future of Libya. To his surprise, the lyrics were changed in order to praise Muammar Gaddafi, he had to apologize immediately. Even though, Gaddafi offered him money to sing for him. Al Shaery, always refused. For these reasons he was always under surveillance by the general intelligence, “there was someone in charge to stop my career in Egypt, I met him and we spoke. He was behind suspending my membership from the artists union for four years with no valid reason, just because I forgot to renew it once”, as he explained. Hamid Al Shaery appreciates the supporting role of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia and Egypt by receiving many Libyan refugees. He said “the Arab League asked Gaddafi to leave, even the General secretary Amro Moussa declared that the League can no longer tolerate massacres on the Libyan territories.” Nevertheless, he blamed the Syrian actress Raghda for her statements that were pro the regime and against NATO intervention. He said that she in not aware of the Gaddafi’s atrocities against to his people, in particular bombing, and employing mercenaries to kill unarmed civilians. As for the singer Shireen, Al Shaery criticized her position against the revolution as well. He insisted that the Libyan will not allow the NATO to interfere, and after the completion of their mission they will have to leave. A lot of civilians were killed by Gaddafi’s mercenaries. “Libyans are free people and Libya is not Iraq”, as he stated. Concerning the visit of of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Libya, it is categorized under important interests according to Al Shaery, particularly that Turkey is a developed country with special relationships with the west. Turkey played a supportive role during the Libyan Revolutions, through sending aids and embracing Libyan refugees. Sovereignty for Al Shaery means a country strong: economically, in foreign relationships, and advanced socially as well as politically. His current dream is to build a city of arts to promote the Libyan art while discovering new tailor made talents.