Benghazi: As the dust of celebration settles, 'free city' gets down to business

Published on Wednesday 23 February 2011 18:38

The eastern city of Benghazi, the cradle of revolt against Muammar al-Gaddafi, was alive with celebration yesterday with thousands out on the streets, setting off fireworks and condemning the Libyan leader.

Jubilant rebels and supporters thronged the city centre, waving red, green and black monarchy-era flags and handing out snacks and juice to people in passing cars, who honked their horns in a giant party. People danced, cheered and played loud music.

Anti-Gaddafi protesters hung effigies with "Mercenaries" written on them from lamp-posts, saying paid gunmen from Africa were sent by Gaddafi to try to suppress them. "Libya is Free! Libya is Free!", they chanted. "Allahu Akbar (God is Great]".

Alongside charred buildings scarred by the violence, one man held up a picture of Gaddafi's head grafted on to a pig's body as lorries full of exuberant opponents of the Libyan leader screeched around the streets of "Free Benghazi".

After a week of violence in which it threw off government control, this Mediterranean port of about 700,000 is starting to run itself under "people's committees" as the dust of rebellion settles. In the east of Libya, many soldiers have withdrawn from active service.

Hossam Ibrahim Sherif, director of the Benghazi health centre, said about 320 people had been killed in the city.