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    February 17, 2012

Libyans Mark First Anniversary of Revolution

   VOA News
   People with the Kingdom of Libya flags gather during a celebration to
   mark the Revolution of February 17 in Benghazi, February 16, 2012.
   Photo: Reuters
   People with the Kingdom of Libya flags gather during a celebration to
   mark the Revolution of February 17 in Benghazi, February 16, 2012.

   People in Libya are celebrating the first anniversary of the revolution
   that topped the regime of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
   Spontaneous celebrations began in cities and towns across the country
   late Thursday.
   In the eastern city of Benghazi, security officials were on high alert
   as hundreds of people cheered and waved flags outside the city's
   courthouse. Formal celebrations are expected there on Friday.
   Many Libyans expressed a sense of satisfaction and optimism with the
   gains achieved since the revolution.
   However, former government minister Ali Al Tarhoni said there was still
   work to be done.
   "Yes of course. The revolution has met one of its important demands -
   which is liberating the country and toppling the autocratic regime, but
   now we are passing through another stage to rebuild the country," he
   said. "It is a stage that faces major challenges, we meet the kind of
   challenges that are different than we overcame in the last stage. My
   question is, are we able to overcome these challenges to build the
   democratic and Islamic country? I'm so optimistic because I think we
   have the abilities to do so."
   Transitional forces launched the uprising last February and drove
   Gadhafi out of Tripoli in August, ending his 42-year rule. Thousands of
   people were killed or injured in the conflict.
   Gadhafi was killed last October as opposition forces overran his
   hometown of Sirte.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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