Libya declares itself liberated from Qaddafi

Libyans wave the revolution's flag on top of a tank as weapons and other items belonging to the former regime are displayed in Misrata on October 23, 2011. / PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images

TRIPOLI - Libya's transitional leader has declared liberation of the country, three days after the death of its leader of four decades, Muammar Qaddafi.

Mustafa Abdul-Jalil also told thousands of supporters at a ceremony on Sunday 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 an address that set an Islamist tone for post-Qaddafi Libya, he said new banks would be set up to follow the Islamic banking system, which bans charging interest.

"This revolution was looked after by God to achieve victory," he told the crowd.

The declaration, officials say, will start the clock for elections after months of bloodshed that culminated in Qaddafi's death last week.

Autopsy: Qaddafi was killed by shot to head
Video: What next for Libya?

Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC), presided over Sunday's ceremony in Benghazi, the revolution's birthplace, alongside the leaders of the military units that fought Qaddafi's forces since last February.

As delegates addressed the densely-packed crowd, soldiers held a huge Libyan flag inscribed with an Arabic message from the top of a nearby building.

Jalil himself greeted people in the crowd and, at one point, held a handgun aloft.

Sunday's celebration comes more than two months after revolutionary forces swept into Tripoli and seized control of most of the oil-rich North African nation.

It was stalled by fierce resistance by Qaddafi loyalists in his hometown of Sirte, Bani Walid and pockets in the south.

Sirte was the last to fall, but Qaddafi's son and one-time heir apparent and many of his fighters have apparently escaped, raising fears they could continue to stir up trouble.

The victory has been clouded by questions over how Qaddafi was killed after images emerged showing he was found alive and taunted and beaten by his captors.

The transitional leadership has said it would declare a new interim government within a month of liberation and elections for a constitutional assembly within eight months to be followed by a parliamentary and presidential vote within a year.

[euge005]

Nato and the US did the right thing. They help the Lybians over throw one brutal system and a crazy man to replace it with what? A system that will fail as surely as supply side economics and the GOP's destruction of this country. If Lybia wants to succeed they need to abolish any poliyical influence of religion and actually be free. They will learn in time with tears and blood. So will we and I wonder which country will get their acts togather first.

[proeliumfessus]

I believe in a nation's right to chose, like a person's right to chose... but sharia law, really?? whatever they're the ones who have to live with it... just wont catch me vacationing there any time soon lol.

[credibility2]

The U.S. controls NATO with taxpayer money. It's interesting that we supported Libya's quest for being freed from their brutal dictator. Are we that moronic as to think Libya's definition of freedom is synonymous with Islamic and Sharia Law? This isn't democracy. Democracy can't exist under the thumb and boot of Islamic and Sharia Law. The U.S. mustn't support the reiteration of Libya, because its very "law" is repressive, controlling and not at all free. Islamic and Sharia Law enslaves its people. All one has to do is look to Iran for that.

[proeliumfessus]

Buy a Chevy volt, build 35 new modern nuke power plants, and by doing so we'll reduce our need for oil 90%, making the middle east 90% less relevant... so we can care about their backward ways 90% less.

[kenodenis]

I think someone should go after the daughter-in-law who disfigured the nanny with boiling water.

[euge005]

Why? WE don't have the guts to go after W and stooges when he has killed 150,000 people in Iraq.

[sepa2]

It is noteworthy - all celebrations and Qaddafi body display is in the eastern city and not in Tripoli. And what is the purpose of all the death and destruction. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/gaddafis-dream-capital-for-africa-pulverised-into-a-ruin-2374667.html

[CommonCents15]

This is sad to see if any of you just would read the facts. The Libyan people had more oppurtunites than our poor will ever have. **** i woulda lived in Libya. Now instead there own state bank it is controlled by an international bank, just like us the Federal reserve is not even part of our gov't. JUST A COUPLE FACTS. Qaddafi gave his people 1. free education and healthcare, if you cannot find the appropriate care they will pay for you to go abroad and receive care, same with education. 2. 0% interest on all loans by law. 3. had the highest standard of leaving in Africa. 4. Homes are considered a Human Right 5. Newlyweds receive 50,000 dollars to purchase a home. 6. NO ELECTRIC Bills. 7. price of gas $0.14

[morriswise]

Nobody is more free than a bum sleeping under a bridge. The people in Libya will enjoy that type of freedom now that Qaddafi is gone. They wont have a care in the world or a dime in their pockets.

[euge005]

sort of like the Tea Party supporters.

[Imthaid2]

Another nation under Sharia law. That's EXACTLY what our government wants. Another country to go to war with so we can capitalize for the defense contractors. MORE WAR MORE WAR MORE WAR! WE ARE A W **** FOR WAR!

[anneshelby]

We need traitors like you in prison.

[anneshelby]

Now we need to work on ousting the cowards and traitors in congress who do nothing but attack the president and betray the country, Like MC Connell who makes fun of unemployed americans while tax payers fund his office in London and six other offices in the US.

[RORY6284]

Right on!

[RORY6284]

Ya got it all backwards! Qaddafi was liberated from Libya. Ciao bambino..........