Libyan Student at UW Excited for Country's Future - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Libyan Student at UW Excited for Country's Future

After 42 years, the reign of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi officially ended on Thursday when reports say he was killed in a crossfire.

Ismail El Fallah is a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. But his home is Libya. The freedoms he enjoys in the United States is something he never thought would happen in his country.

"It was really a surprise for me. I cannot imagine that in all my life one day end of Qaddafi," El Fallah said.

Libyans had suffered under Muammar Qaddafi for over four decades and yesterday marked the beginning a new chapter in Libyan history.

"I am so happy for this great news. This is good news for most Libyan people after 42 years of the Qaddafi regime," El Fallah said.

The death of the former prime minister marks the end of a revolt that began in February.

Over the last eight month Libyans have paid a high price for their freedom.

"More than 20,000 people killed and more than 30,000 people injured in this war so when I see this picture I am so happy for the end of the war," El Fallah said.

El Fallah says he is sad for all those on both sides who had to die in this war, but the result is for the good of his country.

"We needed change after 42 years and we need political reforms that will be led the first election in Libyans," El Fallah said.

During his regime, Libyans could not stand up to Qaddafi for fear of being killed or imprisoned.

Now that he is gone, Ismail hopes that when the world thinks of Libya, they no longer think of Qaddafi.

"I think we'll be a good country in the near future. A lot of people they will wish to visit Libya so I am very excited. I am so happy for this," El Fallah said.

Ismail says he's looking forward to visiting his home in December and says he's excited to get his degree in Mass Communications and Journalism from UW so he can use his education to help the people of Libya.