Liberation in Libya
Celebrating the end of the Gaddafi era in Libya.<br/> Thousands gather in the eastern city of Benghazi as Libya's new leaders officially declare liberation after four decades of Muammar Gaddafi's rule.<br/> Benghazi is the birthplace of the Libyan uprising.<br/> The head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdel Jalil, pays tribute to all those who had lost their lives during the country's eight-month conflict.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the National Transitional Council , saying (Arabic):<br/> "All the martyrs, military and civilian, were waiting for this moment to take part in this joy. But now, they are in the best place, in paradise."<br/> In the capitol city of Tripoli bands mark the occasion.<br/> Crowds gather as a member of the National Transitional council announces that Libya is free.<br/> The crowd erupts in a song of celebration.<br/> In Misrata some watch the announcement on Television.<br/> The celebrations go into the night and the hopes stretch into the future.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Khadija Abdullah, saying (Arabic):<br/> "I want them to build a state which has health care services, education- everything that other countries have because we really have nothing."<br/> It was fighters from Misrata who emerged from a lengthy and bloody siege to play a large part in taking Tripoli and later caught Gaddafi.<br/> With the fighting now over celebrations are expected to continue ahead of the rebuilding of a new country and new government.<br/> Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
