Following are excerpts
from statements by Libyan TV host Hala Masrati, which aired on
the state-run Al-Libiyya TV, on August 19, 2011:
Hala Masrati:
I would like to assure the families of the people working here that
in Al-Libiyya TV there are real men. I swear by Allah that the minutes
and hours that we spent here were glorious indeed.
[…]
The people of Al-Libiyya
TV are courageous fighters. They have defended this TV channel. We tell
the families that the people working here are safe and sound. In Al-Libiyya
TV, there are real men, and the women here are worth 100 men each.
[…]
I am appearing before
you because we are certain of our victory. We want to say to the Libyan
people: Rest assured that we are not deterred by their weapons, missiles,
or snipers. Who are these armed gangs? Who are these people? You are
coming to kill me. How do you expect me to respect you, to respect your
views, to respect your democracy, to respect your freedom, when you
are coming to attack and kill me?!
[…]
This has become a battle
of life or death. We will either kill or be killed.
[…]
We have many callers,
but before that, I would like to say to the snipers shooting at us –
after all, there is an exchange of fire outside – that this is my
weapon.
Pulls
out a pistol from under the desk
You can show it on Al-Jazeera
TV, Al-Arabiya TV, and all the other channels. This is my weapon. I
will either kill or be killed today. You will not capture Al-Libiyya
TV, Al-Shababiyya TV, Al-Jamahiriyya TV, Tripoli, or Libya. You will
not capture them. We are all armed. Anyone without a weapon is ready
to become a human shield to protect his colleagues here. We are all
prepared to be martyred. We are defending Allah. The Koranic text on
this is clear. The Prophet Muhammad was very clear.
What Jihad are you talking
about? The Libyan army hesitates a thousand times before shooting a
single bullet. They do not want to kill Libyan brothers, but you come
to me, armed by NATO, Italy, and France, and you bring Apache helicopters,
and planes bombing from above… Today, in Tajura, people could not
calm down from the bombing… Where are the Arabs?! Where are the Muslims?!
We have a call, but I
just wanted to tell you that we are all armed.
[…]
