Two Years on Libyan Revolution: Ceremonies, Fears of Chaos

Libya is celebrating Sunday the second anniversary of the revolution which toppled Moammar Gaddafi’s 42 year old regime, in massive rallies in Benghazi, east Libya.

The official ceremonies, that are the first of their kind in the African country, take place under tight security measures, according to the Libyan Foreign Ministry.

“Most of the Libyan cities, especially the capital Tripoli, and Benghazi, the center and shelter of the rebels, witness security enhancements, as the police and army forces deployed to secure the ceremonies,” the foreign ministry stated.

For its part, the Libyan authority warned that supporters of the ousted leader might take adantage of the massive ceremonies to “sow chaos”, after it closed the land borders and suspended aviation.

Despite the ceremonial atmosphere, demonstrators in Benghazi did not hesitate to criticize the new authorities, and demanded further decentralization and an activation to the role of the army and security forces.

On another hand, civil organizations and groups, including Federalism supporters, decided to postpone their protests that were sceduled on the 15th of February to avoid clashes.