Fenton Father Travels from Libyan Revolution for Son's Graduation

Acting as a spokesman for a revolution to free his countrymen from the regime of Moammar Gadhafi didn't stop Mustafa Gheriani from attending his son Nabil Gheriani's on Sunday. The proud father joined the throngs in the school gymnasium with his wife, Lois Van Lente, to honor their youngest son.

"It's an important day in my son's life, and I'm proud of what he has accomplished thus far," Mustafa Gheriani said. "I'm anxious to see him continue his education and become what he wants to be."

Gheriani, born and raised in Benghazi, Libya, was in Benghazi for his niece's wedding in February, which was later canceled due to the uprising. The business he started in Tripoli meant he was overseas, and the most recent time he'd visited his family in Fenton was for Christmas. Gheriani had to leave again on Jan. 1.

"I appreciate my wife a lot," he said. "I know when I'm gone, she is taking care of things. I don't have to worry about my home and leaving her behind."

His family in Libya is very involved in the revolution, he said. Gheriani became a spokesman for the revolution against Gadhafi, keeping the 17th of February Coalition well-represented in the international news media. There also was a spokesman for the national media.

In the beginning, the 17th of February Coalition would post an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper and write "International Press Room" on it.

"Things were quite dynamic, changing every hour, every day," Gheriani said.

The opportunity for him to assist was unexpected, although it had always been a dream to topple the Gadhafi regime. "Events were going so fast," he said.

There was a vacuum in many areas, and whoever stepped in covered that responsibility. It was all for one cause.

Journalists began contacting the spokesmen for information. "After six weeks, we handed it over to the next group."

Many young men died in the rebels' effort, 12,000, Gheriani said. All through Libya, 30,000 are missing. Now, 80 percent of the country is liberated and Gadhafi's control is very small and limited mainly to the capital. Gadhafi depends on mercenaries and "bloodstained loyalists" for this remaining control, Gheriani said.

"It's defining times for Libya," he said. "We think, eventually, we will be victorious. It's just a matter of how long, how much bloodshed has to be sacrificed to liberate the entire country.

"The Libyan people did it," Gheriani said. "The Libyan people have created history."

After a three-week visit with his family, he will return to work in logistics for the revolution. For the moment, following Nabil's graduation, Gheriani is reconnecting with his family in the green, countryside suburbia of Fenton. It's much different from the large city of Benghazi.

"It's a whole different world," said Gheriani, drinking his morning coffee at the kitchen table. "You don't hear the machine guns."

Gheriani's safety in Libya was an issue, like that of any member of the coalition or those working for them. His wife at times knew if he was alive or dead, by the news she saw. He took precautions and did what he needed to do.

"You just don't think about it," he said.

Once it's safe enough, his wife will join him in Libya. Nabil will be starting college, and Yussef will be continuing it.

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