Libya's transitional leader declares liberation
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - October 23, 2011
He called on Libyans to show "patience, honesty and tolerance"
and eschew hatred as they embark on rebuilding the country at the
end of an 8-month civil war.
The transitional government leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil set out a
vision for the post-Gadhafi future with an Islamist tint, saying
that Islamic Sharia law would be the "basic source" of
legislation in the country and that existing laws that contradict
the teachings of Islam would be nullified.
In a gesture that showed
his own piety, he urged Libyans not to express their joy by firing
in the air, but rather to chant "Allahu Akbar," or God is Great.
He then stepped aside and knelt to offer a brief prayer of thanks.
"This revolution was looked after by God to achieve victory,"
he told the crowd at the declaration ceremony in the eastern city
of Benghazi, the birthplace of the uprising against Gadhafi began.
He thanked those who fell in the fight against Gadhafi's forces.
"This revolution began peacefully to demand the minimum of
legitimate rights, but it was met by excessive violence."
Abdul-Jalil said new banks would be set up to follow the Islamic
banking system, which bans charging interest. For the time being,
he said interest would be canceled from any personal loans already
taken out less than 10,000 Libyan dinars (about $7,500).
He also announced that all military personnel and civilians who
have taken part in the fight against Gadhafi would be promoted to
the rank above their existing one. He said a package of perks would
later be announced for all fighters.
"Thank You, thank you to the fighters who achieved victory,
both civilians and military," he said. He also paid tribute to the
Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation alliance led by Saudi
Arabia, The Arab League and the European Union. NATO, which aided
the anti-Gadhafi fighters with airstrikes, performed its task with
"efficiency and professionalism."