Libya marks first anniversary of uprising
- 12 years ago
It's been a year since the Libyan uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi began. In Benghazi, they gathered at the police station where the first march against Gaddafi's rule kicked off --- the luster of democracy apparent.
Libyans lit the "Torch of Freedom" and marked the events that ended the former leader's 40 year hold on the country. They also remembered those killed in the fight.
Security in the eastern city is higher than usual ahead of the anniversary on February 17th. Adding to that is a recent boast by Saadi Gaddafi', one of the fallen leader's sons. Saadi, who is in exile in Niger, recently said he is toying with the idea of returning to Libya and starting an uprising.
The reversal of fortune has been particularly hard for Gaddafi loyalists, many of whom are languishing in a prison in Misrata.
SOUNDBITE: Former Gaddafi fighter, Issa Mokhtar saying (Arabic):
"As you see, it's a prison. Thank God things somehow are good, but there are a lot of delays in releasing us. So far, we don't understand our situation exactly. I mean, the war has been over for a while and Gaddafi is dead so they should release us. That's it, we should be released and sent home by now. I have never heard of a prisoner of war in his own country."
Many, it seems are ready for Libya to move into it's next chapter. Post-Gaddafi, Libya has struggled with tribal rivalries and concerns about a lack of transparency.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
Libyans lit the "Torch of Freedom" and marked the events that ended the former leader's 40 year hold on the country. They also remembered those killed in the fight.
Security in the eastern city is higher than usual ahead of the anniversary on February 17th. Adding to that is a recent boast by Saadi Gaddafi', one of the fallen leader's sons. Saadi, who is in exile in Niger, recently said he is toying with the idea of returning to Libya and starting an uprising.
The reversal of fortune has been particularly hard for Gaddafi loyalists, many of whom are languishing in a prison in Misrata.
SOUNDBITE: Former Gaddafi fighter, Issa Mokhtar saying (Arabic):
"As you see, it's a prison. Thank God things somehow are good, but there are a lot of delays in releasing us. So far, we don't understand our situation exactly. I mean, the war has been over for a while and Gaddafi is dead so they should release us. That's it, we should be released and sent home by now. I have never heard of a prisoner of war in his own country."
Many, it seems are ready for Libya to move into it's next chapter. Post-Gaddafi, Libya has struggled with tribal rivalries and concerns about a lack of transparency.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.