 |
| Libyans celebrate in Misrata yesterday |
“This announcement of the liberation of Libya is an announcement that we have waited for for 42 years,” Mohamed al-Arabi, an imam from Benghazi, told the jubilant crowd in Martyrs Square.
The country’s interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil addressed the nation in Libya’s second city Benghazi, where the uprising first broke out and where the triumph of the eight-month revolt was formally declared.
In the Libyan capital, crowds chanted slogans such as: “Praise God, today is liberation day!”
Hundreds of women, of all ages, lined the separation barrier in front of the stage in Martyrs Square, renamed following the ouster of Gaddafi’s forces from Tripoli in late August, a sea of new regime flags flying overhead.
“Today is a very special day for all Libyans. We are so excited about the changes that are going to happen, things like media freedom, freedom of speech,” said Isra Bukrain, 24, a laboratory technician.
“There were controls before, we couldn’t say what we wanted to say,” she said, adding that she also hoped to see big improvements in health and education.
Earlier in Tripoli’s main square, two camels were slaughtered, with the meat to be cooked and distributed as a goodwill gesture by the authorities. The announcement was also preceded by Qur’anic readings and prayers.
Arabi, the cleric from Benghazi, dismissed suggestions that the decision to make yesterday’s announcement in his hometown rather than the capital was potentially divisive, in a country deeply divided along tribal lines.
“Tomorrow the government is going to move to Tripoli. It was for the good of the people of Benghazi, who suffered so much, that they made the announcement there,” he told AFP.
Thousands of people flooded Benghazi yesterday to hear the declaration of independence.
“This is the best day of my life,” said Mohamed Sharif, 26, an unemployed youth dancing and clapping along with a group of friends in the city centre’s Kish Square.
Green, red and black flags—symbol of the revolution that toppled Gaddafi—filled the buoyant Mediterranean city.
“This is a historic day and I am happy that I am here, in my country, on this day,” said Sharif who, just a few years earlier, frustrated by oppression and unemployment had considered leaving the country.
“Thank God I did not go,” said the young man brimming with enthusiasm and optimism, adding that his country would not let the blood of “all the martyrs” who died for freedom go to waste.
“In a few years, Libya will be one of the brightest states in the Arabic and Islamic word,” he said.
Car speakers blasted revolutionary songs and the old national anthem that was used at the time of the monarchy, and which was adopted by anti-Gaddafi forces.
Fighters hugged each other in front of banners and pictures of the victims killed in the eight-month-long conflict.
Women flooded the streets to hear Abdel Jalil speak.
“I am very, very happy,” Hamida Adam, a paediatrician, carrying a giant flag along with her friends and relatives.
“Muammar Gaddafi is no more. We are free. Libya is free.”
Thousands also gathered in the heart of Misrata, whose fighters captured Gaddafi, to celebrate their country’s liberation.
Men, women and children converged on Misrata’s Freedom Square singing the national anthem and waving the national flag.
Some raised the flag of France in gratitude for the support it gave as part of Nato to the revolt against Gaddafi.
“Libya, Libya. From east to west Libya is a single nation,” men shouted to the beat of drums.
“Misrata will always be Misrata!” and “Misrata, you buried him!” chanted others in reference to the role of the town’s fighters in capturing Gaddafi whose forces had besieged the city.
“This is the greatest day in the history of Libya,” said Mohamed al-Gadi, 53.
“I feel great. First because Gaddafi is dead. Next because it is the day of independence. We will party all night long,” said Gadi who brought his wife and children to join the celebrations.