Libyans are marking the first anniversary of the popular revolution that drove the regime of former dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, out of power after more than 41 years of despotic rule.
On Friday, men, women, and children came out on the streets in Tripoli, the city of Benghazi, the eastern birthplace of the revolution, 651 kilometers (404 miles) east of the capital, the western port city of Misrata, as well as towns in the country on the eve of the anniversary. The Libyans waved the new national flag, setting off fire crackers and chanting slogans.
“Curly we are sorry!” shouted children dressed like angels during the celebrations on the streets of Benghazi.
Benghazi’s residents have organized a ceremony to take place later in the day to formally celebrate the anniversary.
The event is expected to be attended by the leader of Libya’s transitional government, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, interim Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib, and other officials from the interim authority.
No official celebrations have been organized on a national level as the North African nation’s new leaders have demanded respect for the thousands of people killed in the course of the bloody battles that culminated in Gaddafi’s capture and death on October 20, 2011.
Abdel Jalil has asserted that Libya’s revolutionary spirit and its stability should not be compromised in any way.
“We opened our arms to all Libyans, whether they supported the revolution or not. But this tolerance does not mean we are incapable of dealing with the stability of our country,” he said in a television address late on Thursday.
“We will be tough towards people, who threaten our stability. The revolutionaries are ready to respond to any attack aimed at destabilizing the country,” Abdel Jalil said.
Libya’s new rulers face challenges, ranging from refurbishment of an ageing and damaged infrastructure, promotion of functioning state institutions, and growth of national economy to development of weak health, judicial, and educational systems.
