BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP) -- Libyans on Friday celebrated the first anniversary of the uprising against Moammar Gadhafi with fireworks and slogans, even as its new leader vowed to act firmly against further instability.
The former rebels who toppled Gadhafi last year with NATO backing set up fresh checkpoints in the capital Tripoli, in Benghazi, the eastern birthplace of the uprising, the western port city of Misrata and other towns.
The country’s new rulers have not organized any official celebrations at a national level as a mark of respect for the thousands of people killed in the bloody conflict that saw Gadhafi captured and slain on Oct. 20.
But spontaneous commemorations began nationwide in cities and towns led by residents of Benghazi, the city which first rose against Gadhafi and his 42-year-old regime.
“We have called in special forces from outside of Benghazi. Soon the roads heading to the square will be closed to vehicles,” Omar Farraj, in charge of security for the Tahrir Square celebration in Benghazi, said.
“We want to ensure that the celebrations are peaceful, and we have deployed the thuwar (revolutionaries) across the city.”
Men, women and children came out on the streets of Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata and other towns late on Thursday to begin the celebrations by setting off firecrackers and chanting slogans.
“I will fight with my body, heart and soul for our new Libya,” said Mustafa Ahmed Ali, a young recruit of the new Libyan army as he ran with about 100 comrades after passing a military training course in Benghazi on Thursday.
“Curly we are sorry!” shouted children dressed like angels in sarcastic reference to Gadhafi, who bore that nickname because of his distinctive locks, in a procession in Benghazi that started from Tahrir (Liberation) Square.
Benghazi residents will formally celebrate the anniversary later Friday at a function expected to be attended by Libya’s new ruler Mustafa Abdel Jalil, interim Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib and other dignitaries.
Abdel Jalil warned on Thursday that the revolutionary spirit of Libya and its stability will not be compromised in any way.
“We opened our arms to all Libyans, whether they supported the revolution or not. But this tolerance does not mean we are incapable of dealing with the stability of our country,” he said in a television address.
“We will be tough towards people who threaten our stability. The thuwar are ready to respond to any attack aimed at destabilizing” the country, Abdel Jalil said.
Tripoli resident Naima Misrati said traffic police and former rebels were distributing leaflets, warning people against thinking of carrying out attacks, which said; “We cannot bring back the buried man (Gadhafi) but we can send you to him.”
“I have no words to describe my happiness. There is joy everywhere in Tripoli,” she said.
But one year after the uprising, Libya is battling challenges ranging from how to tame the rowdy militias that fought Gadhafi to establishing a new rule of law.
Thousands of people were killed or wounded in the conflict, the country‘s vital oil production ground to a halt, and homes, businesses, factories, schools and hospitals were devastated.
The challenges are manifold, including rebuilding an aging and damaged infrastructure, fostering vibrant state institutions, tackling a corrupt economy and boosting what are weak health, judicial and educational systems.
But the most immediate headache is how to control the tens of thousands of ex-rebels who have now turned into powerful militias, whose jealously guarded commitment to their honor and power occasionally erupts into deadly clashes.
“By now they (militias) have developed vested interests they will be loath to relinquish,” said World Bank adviser Hafed al-Ghwell in a recent report.
These rival militias have emerged as the biggest security threat for Libya, regularly clashing with each other and causing fatalities.
Global human rights organizations Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Doctors Without Borders have accused militias of torturing their prisoners, most of whom are former pro-Gadhafi fighters.
Prime Minister Kib has acknowledged that integrating these militias into security services is a “complex” issue. But his government on Thursday said that about 5,000 of them had been integrated into the security services.
Ghwell said there are concerns about the ruling NTC itself.
“The NTC has had to struggle with internal divisions, a credibility deficit and questions surrounding its effectiveness,” he said.
