Libya: Fireworks Mark Tripoli’s First Liberation Anniversary · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Revolution 2011.
Libyans are marking the liberation of their country tonight from Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule. Netizens speak of celebrations and share their feelings on this occasion.
Tonight, which coincides with the 20th day of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, was the day the Libyan capital Tripoli was liberated and Gaddafi's stronghold Bab-Al-Aziziya fell. It is also the day when the National Transitional Council, which has been running the country's affairs for a year, transfers power to the Libyan General National Council, which was elected in July 2012.
Akram describes the scene in Tripoli. He writes:
@flyingbirdies: Tripoli liberation anniversary tonight & power transfer NTC to #GNC . People started to celebrate already with fireworks #Libya
Ismael adds:
@ChangeInLibya: Tripoli celebrates one year since liberation with prayers for Syria, fireworks & a huge demonstration for reconciliation in Martyrs square
On Facebook, he shares more personal thoughts. He writes:
Some things are easy to forget, and individual stories tend to get lost in the bigger picture, especially when it comes to something as important as the liberation of Tripoli.
He adds:
However, as a Libyan that followed every minute of the revolution, and someone with relatives in Tripoli, I think a reminder is needed on a day like this, that if it wasn't for our unity and our perseverance during Libya's toughest hours, we wouldn't be here today to celebrate the 20th of Ramadan in a free Libya, and lessons from other wars and failed revolutions can be seen everywhere around us, so we should always thank god for what we have:
On the 20th of August 2011, the Libyan capital rose up, after months of preparations and arms smuggling into Tripoli. Weapons came all the way from Benghazi, Misrata, Nafusa mountains and even Tunisia, and the locals had enough to defend themselves when the time for zero hour came. What they didn't have, however, was enough to attack and continuously hold off Gaddafi forces that were desperate for any victory that day.
He concludes:
Libyan unity was the reason for victory, and seeing Benghazi and Misrata and the other cities cheer is what kept those inside Tripoli hopeful for the day of their liberation, which came after 6 months of hell.
Today, our elected congress comes to power, and we should remind ourselves of the hurdles that Libya overcame, and the hurdles it still faces. And that we can't tackle any of these hurdles without people willing to work together, understand each other and do something for their country without expecting an immediate reward.
Back on Twitter, Rawia El-Turki says:
@R_ProudLibyan: It's weird to think how different the 20th day of Ramadan was last year compared to this year… time truly does fly.
Nusaybah Khalil hopes:
@FromNusaybah: Today, 8th August 2012, #Libya silences critics of the Libyan revolution (hopefully) for ever. It is the beginning of a new political dawn.
And Jomana Karasheh reminds us:
@JomanaCNN: In little over an hour, history in the new #Libya ,1st peaceful transition of power in decades as #NTC hands over in ceremony to GNC
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Revolution 2011.