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A Libyan girl dons the colours of the new Libyan flag ahead of today's declaration of liberation.
# Libya
NTC declares to the world that Libya is liberated
A historic day for Libya…the formal declaration has been made in Benghazi in front of tens of thousands of people today.
LIBYA’S INTERIM GOVERNMENT has announced the official liberation of the country, Reuters reports.
An official who opened the ceremony at Freedom Square in Benghazi said, “We declare to the whole world that we have liberated our beloved country, with its cities, villages, hill-tops, mountains, deserts and skies.”
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Benghazi and it seems that almost all those who have turned out has a red, black and green flag – the symbol of the new country.
The city was the birthplace of the revolution which led to the ousting of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. His death and the fall of his hometown of Sirte on Thursday marked an end to the 42-year-old Gaddafi regime.
Another formal declaration was made by NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil, who saluted all the martyrs who died in search of this day. He also thanked the Arab League, the UN and the EU.
During his speech, delivered to tens of thousands in festival mood, he said that Islamic law, including polygamy, would be upheld in Libya.
“We as a Muslim nation have taken Islamic sharia as the source of legislation, therefore any law that contradicts the principles of Islam is legally nullified,” he said, according to Reuters Africa.
He called on Libyans to follow the law and not to use force anymore. He asked for tolerance and patience from people as they enter a new era.
To conclude, he wished the Libyan people a bright future.
The declaration comes after nine months of fierce fighting between NTC forces and pro-Gaddafi loyalists.
Earlier today, fighters were welcomed back to the city, greeted by singing men, women and children.
More: Autopsy reveals Gaddafi died by gunshot to head>
