Libya Celebrates Anniversary of Benghazi Uprising

Feb. 17 was the beginning of the end of the Gadhafi regime.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first mass demonstration against (now deceased) Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi in the city of Benghazi. Celebrations are being held across the country to honour those who stood up to the Gadhafi regime and launched a country-wide revolt against the dictator's four-decade rule. That revolt prompted international assistance in the form of air and naval support from NATO and the Arab Leagu under the auspices of the "responsibility to protect" civilians who faced slaughter in the city of Misrata. The campaign culminated in the taking of Tripoli in late August and the death of Gadhafi in his hometown of Sirte. Not to rain on the parade or anything, but since then security concerns have plagued the country. NGOs have pointed to victorious forces torturing their enemies, leading Medecins Sans Frontieres to withdraw from Misrata last month. The ruling Transitional National Council has also yet to assert itself as the dominant authority in many cities that are essentially being run by the same rebel militias, or thuwwar, that threw out Gadhafi's forces last year. There are also numerous concerns over the influx of arms that flooded Libya during the conflict but have yet to be secured.