Tsvangirai met Gaddafi this week in Tripoli.
According to the premier’s spokesperson, James Maridadi, Gaddafi pointed out that as chairperson of the African Union he was interested in what was happening in Zimbabwe because stability in the region was at his heart.
“He (Gaddafi) said as the AU chair, stability in the region is close to his heart. He gave the prime minister a pat on the back, saying that despite him being on opposing sides, he managed to put that aside and put the best interests of Zimbabweans first to form the inclusive government,” he said. “President Gaddafi said well done to the prime minister for the inclusive government, which he said was commendable instead of resorting to an armed struggle. He told the prime minister that arms do not solve conflicts. He said he was happy that the prime minister chose the ballot and not the bullet.”
Gaddafi said Zimbabwe should never be allowed to slide back to levels before the formation of the inclusive government, when there was hyperinflation, unbearable living conditions, starvation and gross economic instability.
Maridadi said the premier was impressed by Libya’s housing project and the level of infrastructural development.
Tsvangirai was taken on a tour of construction sites by Libya Prime Minister Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi, who heads the country’s developmental issues.
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“The level of development was amazing. There is so much construction going on and they want to catch up with Europe. They are into partnership with big international development partners from the United States and other countries.
“What the Libyan prime minister said of major interest to Zimbabwe was that countries should go into international cooperation with anyone in the world that adds value to the lives of its people,” said Maridadi, who pointed out it was something which Tsvangirai’s office said Zimbabwe should consider seriously instead of being opposed to anything Western.
Tsvangirai, who was in Tripoli for a two-day visit at the invitation of the Libyan leader to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, held a one-on-one with Gaddafi for about 40 minutes.
The premier was welcomed with full military honours and met at the airport by his Libyan counterpart, foreign affairs minister Mussa Kussa and generals from the Libyan army, air force, navy, police and other security services.
Faith Zaba
