Libyans put aside woes to celebrate uneasy anniversary
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People wave Libyan flags as they gather during celebrations commemorating the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Libyan woman flashes a V-victory sign at Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Libyans release a lantern into the air at Nasr Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Thousands of Libyans celebrate the second anniversary of the Libyan uprising at Martyrs square on February 17, 2013 in Tripoli. Security forces were on high alert across Libya as the north African nation marked two years since the start of the revolt that toppled Moamer Kadhafi after four decades of iron rule. The anniversary of the uprising that ended with Kadhafi's killing in October 2011 comes as Libya's new rulers battle critics calling for a "new revolution" and accusing them of failing to usher in much-needed reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
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People wave Libyan flags as they gather during celebrations commemorating the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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People wave Libyan flags during an event marking the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, in Benghazi February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A man smiles next to Libyan flags on the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, in Benghazi February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Libyans release lanterns in the air, at Nasr Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Libyan children hold a giant national flag and march toward Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar. -- PHOTO: AP
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Libyan children wave national flags as they look out over Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Libyan family sings, waves national flags and flashes victory signs, near Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
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Libyan girl, wears traditional Libyan clothes, flashes victory sign near Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
People wave Libyan flags as they gather during celebrations commemorating the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Libyan woman flashes a V-victory sign at Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Libyans release a lantern into the air at Nasr Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Thousands of Libyans celebrate the second anniversary of the Libyan uprising at Martyrs square on February 17, 2013 in Tripoli. Security forces were on high alert across Libya as the north African nation marked two years since the start of the revolt that toppled Moamer Kadhafi after four decades of iron rule. The anniversary of the uprising that ended with Kadhafi's killing in October 2011 comes as Libya's new rulers battle critics calling for a "new revolution" and accusing them of failing to usher in much-needed reforms. -- PHOTO: AFP
People wave Libyan flags as they gather during celebrations commemorating the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
People wave Libyan flags during an event marking the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, in Benghazi February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A man smiles next to Libyan flags on the second anniversary of the country's February 17 revolution, in Benghazi February 17, 2013. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Libyans release lanterns in the air, at Nasr Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Libyan children hold a giant national flag and march toward Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar. -- PHOTO: AP
Libyan children wave national flags as they look out over Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Libyan family sings, waves national flags and flashes victory signs, near Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
Libyan girl, wears traditional Libyan clothes, flashes victory sign near Tahrir Square, during the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Libya, Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI (REUTERS) - Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate two years since the start of Libya's revolution and a national political leader promised to end the sense of neglect experienced by Benghazi, the country's second city.
One thousand kilometres east of the capital Tripoli, Benghazi was the cradle of the revolt that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi, but many citizens feel that they are yet to see the fruits of their military struggle.
There are calls in the eastern region - where most of Libya's oil wealth lies - for a return to a federal political structure and more regional autonomy, which Libya had before Gaddafi seized power in a coup in 1969.
Many are unhappy that the government is yet to disarm militias or write a new constitution.
