GlobalGrind spoke by to Tunisian and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kenza Fourati in order to get her perspective on the crisis in Libya.
The beautiful and educated Kenza has a different perspective than many Americans and her intellectual discourse adds a new angle to the uprising.
See what she had to say below.
PHOTOS: Supermodel Kenza Fourati Chats With GlobalGrind
GlobalGrind: As someone who is active and vocal about about the revolution in Tunisia, we wanted to know your thoughts on what’s happening in Libya.
Kenza Fourati: [I think] the fighting is coming, slowly, to an end. It is a historical time for Libya and I would also say for everyone worldwide. It is very sad to see how much blood was spilled, though. In this aspect, it differs from the neighboring revolutions of Tunisia and Egypt, but it is another major warning to the other abusive regimes still here. Bachar El Assad, watch out!
What’s the relationship between Libya and Tunisia like?
As direct neighbors, Tunisians and Libyans have a very close relationship. Several times there was a question of a fusion between the two countries. Libya is actually the pioneer of the African Union and Libyans are, generally, rich. They come to Tunisia to spend their money. They are very important for our economy. Since the beginning of the Libyan Civil War, hundred of thousands of refugees crossed the borders in the desert. The images of the crowded desert are striking! They were really well taken care of, even before international aid came to their rescue. Libyans, Tunisians and Egyptians are fighting the same fight, [I think]. The empathy is very intense. Tunisians were the first ones to recognize the National Transitional Council of Libya as a legitimate government.
What is your take on how the rebellion is covered by the Western media and Arab media? Are we missing information in the West that Arab newspapers or broadcasters are getting?
As with the other revolutions, it all starts with social media: Facebook, Twitter. The information travels faster and is less polished by “the foreigner eye,” if I can say that. I am a follower of ShababLibya, the Libyan Youth Movement but, in general, I believe, the West and the major Arab newspapers and broadcasters have, generally, the same information and point of view.
From your understanding about what is happening in Libya, are Libyans and Tunisians fighting for the same things?
The Libyan situation is considered a civil war but, from my understanding, people are fighting the same injustices: corruption, abuses, lack of freedom etc…
Earlier on, Gaddafi said that young people have been drugged, which was his explanation for what was happening.
But Gaddafi and his son have made a bunch of crazy declarations! It is not new. In one of his speeches, Gaddafi vowed to hunt down protesters ‘inch by inch, room by room, home by home, alleyway by alleyway.’ It was remixed into a very popular song in the region: “Zenga, Zenga.”
