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ANNIVERSARY: Libyans mark first anniversary of the revolution

LIBYANS MARKED the first anniversary of the revolution against former leader Muammar Gaddafi with fireworks, it has been revealed.

Hundreds gathered in Tahrir [Liberation] Square in Benghazi, the city which first rose against Gaddafi and his 42-year regime on February 17 2011. The celebrations took place after traditional Muslim prayers, with people waving Libya's new flag and proclaiming the revolution's "birthday".

"This is the first birthday of Libya. It is a day of freedom, a day to remember. The days ahead will be better now that Gaddafi is gone," said Malek L Sahad, a Libyan-American rap singer who returned to his native country last year.

There haven't been organised official celebrations out of respect for the thousands of people killed in the conflict. However new Libyan ruler Mustafa Abdel Jalil is expected to attend a function in Benghazi later on today to mark the anniversary of the revolution, along with interim Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib and other dignitaries.

Gaddafi, who seized power in 1969 in a bloodless coup at the age of 27 and went on to rule Libya for 42 years with an iron fist before the last year's uprising, was gunned down and killed by the transition rebels on October 20th 2011.