National flags and concerts in Tripoli
(ANSA) – TRIPOLI, FEBRUARY 17 – Libya is celebrating today the eleventh anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, at a time when the transition to democracy is experiencing new pitfalls ;; which raise fears of a recovery hostilities.
This year, the anniversary falls as the country finds itself with two rival prime ministers since February 10, after missing the crucial December electoral deadline. The parliament sitting in the east has appointed influential former interior minister Fathi Bachagha to replace Abdelhamid Dbeibah as head of the interim government, but the latter has said it will only yield to an elected power.
In this atmosphere, to celebrate the anniversary of the revolt triggered in the height of the Arab Spring, Tripoli’s main avenues were decorated in red, black and green, the colors of the national flag adopted after the fall of the old regime. With concerts, revolutionary songs, fireworks for tomorrow, celebrations are also planned in Piazza dei Martiri, in the heart of Tripoli, where Gaddafi gave his speeches, before he was ousted by the revolt unleashed on February 17, 2011.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (Manul) reiterated for the occasion its appeal “to maintain stability and calm in the country”. (HANDLE).