Mrs Warda Y.A. Nasef, Charge d’Affaires of Libya, said on Saturday that the “New Libya” was seeking to improve relations with Ghana for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

She said Libya’s excellent diplomatic relations with Ghana dated back to the 1980s and affirmed Libya’s commitment to improving her political, economic and cultural relations with Ghana, based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s affairs.

Mrs Nasef was addressing heads of diplomatic mission, representatives of embassies and international organisations at a reception in Accra to mark the 61st Independence Day celebration of Libya.

Libya gained independence on December 24, 1951, crowning the struggle of the Libyan people and implementing the United Nations Resolution.

Since the military coup d’etat of September 1969, the people of Libya had been denied the right to mark the day.

Mrs Nasef explained that this year’s celebration had some special significance as the day coincided with the victory of the glorious February 17 Revolution during which the Libyan people sacrificed thousands of martyrs, the wounded and the missing for the sake of free democratic Libya.

Mr Leslie. K. Christian, Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, who represented the ministry to commemorate the day, said the success of the Libyan Revolution did not only change the political and social landscape of that country but it also revealed the courage and tenacity of the people to aspire for higher standard of progress and well-being.

He said the achievements of Libya had earned the support and commitment of Ghana in ensuring the nurturing of emerging democratic culture in Libya for peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Mr Christian said Ghana and Libya had enjoyed strong and mutually beneficial relations over the years and those reflected in contracts and integration between the two countries.

He said Libya provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration with office equipment after fire had gutted its offices.

Ghana also appreciated the successful hosting of the Ninth Session of the Ghana-Libya Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation in 2010 which provided a defined sense of direction for the enhancement of bilateral relations.

Mr Christian expressed the hope that highlights of the projects and programmes agreed upon at that session would be implemented for the mutual benefit of Ghana and Libya.