Benghazi – Thursday, 25 December 2025 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Government received, on Thursday morning, Mr. Michel Saint-Lot, grandson of the late Émile Saint-Lot, Representative of the Republic of Haiti to the United Nations, whose historic vote played a decisive and pivotal role in the adoption of the resolution granting Libya its independence in 1951—one of the most significant founding moments of the modern Libyan state. The guest was received by the Director of the Department of American Affairs, Ambassador Abdulkarim Al-Naas; the Director of the Department of European Affairs, Dr. Jamil Bouazdan; the Deputy Director of the Department of American Affairs and Head of the Central America and Caribbean Section, Mr. Ahmed Al-Abbar; in addition to the Director of the Benghazi Peace Center, Mr. Faraj Najm; and the Director of the Benghazi Protocol Office, Mr. Adel Al-Farsi—reflecting the symbolic and political significance attached to this visit. During the meeting, the historical context of Libyan–Haitian relations was revisited, with emphasis on the national and diplomatic role played by the Libyan delegation at the United Nations at that time. The discussions highlighted how these efforts succeeded in persuading the Haitian representative to vote in favor of Libya’s independence—a vote that marked a decisive turning point, contributed to the rejection of the Bevin–Sforza Plan, and paved the way for the declaration of Libya as a sovereign and independent state. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation praised the honorable historic stance of the Republic of Haiti, represented by its late delegate Émile Saint-Lot, affirming that this position will remain firmly etched in Libya’s national memory as a sincere expression of international solidarity and support for the right of peoples to self-determination. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministry honored Mr. Michel Saint-Lot by presenting him with the Shield of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in appreciation and gratitude for the noble historic stance that directly contributed to Libya’s independence, and in renewal of the Libyan state’s commitment to preserving its national memory and strengthening relations with friendly countries on the basis of mutual respect and shared history.