Libyan Coloradans Are Elated, Now Want Gaddafi Caught
DENVER (CBS4) - Libyan Coloradans are elated now that Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year-long rule is on the verge of collapse. They say they are proud of the people they call "freedom fighters" and now they want Gaddafi caught and the rebuilding to begin.
Del and Tarieg Elmagbari can't get enough of the news from Libya. They watch television while monitoring Facebook and Twitter.
"It's been amazing -- the last 24 hours," Del said.
Back in February the Elmagbaris were glued to the news as well, nervous about what Gaddafi would do next to stop demonstrators.
"He's somewhere. He's probably in some rat hole we're going to get him. We'll get him alive, too," Del said.
Then, they say, 42 years of oppression will finally end -- oppression that forced their family to flee Libya. Their father was an Olympic hero and government official but he was anti-Gaddafi.
"I'm going to be there with him hopefully on the first day he sets foot on Libyan soil in 34 years," Del said.
Now On CBSNews.com: Tripoli under fire as rebels hunt Qaddafi
Despite concerns that rifts may now emerge in Libya, the brothers believe the people will rally behind the National Transitional Council.
"We're Americans. We love this country. I was born here. But at the same time I know Libyans and they're very, very civil and they fought for freedom. As President Obama says, the quest for freedom and civility is far greater than tyranny," Del said.
Del sent letters to both President Obama and Sen. Michael Bennet asking that the U.S. recognize the National Transitional Council as the only representative of Libya. He also asked for a meeting with Libyan Americans to discuss concerns about the future of the country.
