Fireworks as Libya celebrates uprising, but also tension

Feb 17, 2012

Benghazi, Libya - Thousands of Libyans gathered in the eastern city of Benghazi, waving flags and cheering as they celebrated the first anniversary of the uprising that ousted late leader Moamer Gaddafi.

But there was also tension as 25 people were wounded in clashes between government forces and gunmen loyal to Gaddafi.

Benghazi however was the center of the celebrations as the birthplace of the opposition protests against Gaddafi last year. Those protests spread into a country-wide armed conflict that ended with his capture and death in October.

Libyans made a 17-kilometer long flag, to commemorate the February 17 uprising, and carried it through the coastal city as they set off fireworks.

The interim government said there would be no official celebrations, out of respect to the families of the thousands killed in the conflict. But people took to the streets singing and cheering throughout the day, and were expected to continue well into the night.

In the capital Tripoli, the new red, black and green national flags were flying over the Martyrs Square as nationalistic music was played throughout the day.

Earlier on Friday, authorities in Benghazi seized around 75 rockets believed to have been prepared for attacks on the celebrations, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported. A group of people were also detained in Benghazi for carrying Gaddafi portraits.

The news came as Libyan authorities tightened security across the country for fear that Gaddafi loyalists would mount terror attacks to mar Friday's festivities.

The head of the interim ruling National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, vowed in a televised address late Thursday to quash attempts to destabilize Libya.

Gaddafi, who ruled the North African country for 42 years, was captured and killed in his hometown Sirte in October, after a violent eight-month conflict with his opponents.

Prime Minister Abdul-Rahim al-Kieb has toured several eastern cities this week, along with other officials, to take the pulse of the country and ask people about their needs and demands in the country's new era.

They were told that security remained the top priority, followed by reconstruction of the country and its institutions as well as help for families of martyrs.

In the south-eastern town of Kufra, clashes erupted between government forces and gunmen loyal to Gaddafi. Witnesses said that 25 people, including women, were wounded and taken to Benghazi for treatment.

Libya has witnessed periodic clashes between former rebel forces who back the interim ruling National Transitional Council and Gaddafi loyalists.

The National Transitional Council is under intense pressure to speed up implementation of economic, social and security reforms.

Another key challenge for the country's interim government has been disarming former rebel fighters and attempting to reintegrate them into society or the national security forces, as many Libyans were given weapons during the eight-month rebellion against Gaddafi.

In Washington, the United States congratulated the people of Libya on the anniversary and saluted the 'peaceful protesters in cities from Benghazi to Tripoli' who brought down the dictatorship.

'Through their courage and great sacrifice, and with the support of the United States and an international coalition, the Libyan people defeated a brutal regime and won their freedom,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.

Source: Monsters and Critics.
Link: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/news/article_1691720.php/Fireworks-as-Libya-celebrates-uprising-but-also-tension.