Arroyo leaves for Brunei, Libya

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Saturday afternoon left for Bandar Seri Begawan to attend the 60th birthday celebration of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. She is then scheduled to make a two-day state visit to Libya. According to the website of the Office of the Press Secretary, the private Lear jet carrying the President took off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:40 p.m. The following day, Sunday, Arroyo is set to fly to Tripoli to pursue her mission for a more stable oil supply, increased support for the government’s peace initiatives in Southern Philippines, and to ensure better working conditions for the Filipino workers in that nation. In her meeting with Libyan leaders, the President is expected to reiterate the country’s bid for regular observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who was among those present at the departure ceremonies, said one of the agenda of the President in her state visit to Libya is to thank Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadaffi for his unwavering support to the Philippines, especially on the government’s effort to achieve peace and development in Mindanao. She will also meet with overseas Filipino workers in Libya during her stay there. Libya facilitated the Tripoli Agreement signed in 1976 between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front which eventually resulted to the signing of a peace pact in 1996. The President is scheduled to return to Manila on Tuesday, July 18. - INQ7.Net