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Libya marks Gaddafi anniversary Libya marks Gaddafi anniversary
(about 3 hours later)
Libya has started a week of massive celebrations to mark 40 years since the coup that brought Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to power.Libya has started a week of massive celebrations to mark 40 years since the coup that brought Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to power.
Jets have been flying over the capital Tripoli to prepare for a military parade which is due to start shortly. Jets flew over Tripoli, ahead of a military parade featuring soldiers from many African countries.
Hundreds of dancers and musicians will put on a show charting Libya's history, followed by a firework display. Hundreds of dancers and musicians showcased Libya's history, followed by a huge fireworks display.
Several African and Arab leaders are attending the celebrations but Western leaders are staying away. Several African and Arab leaders at attending the celebrations, but Western leaders have decided to stay away.
This follows a political storm over the release and return to Libya of the only man jailed for the Lockerbie bombing. This follows a political storm over the release from a Scottish prison of Libyan Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the only man jailed for the Lockerbie bombing.
CelebrationsCelebrations
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says there is an air of anticipation as the capital prepares for unprecedented festivities for Revolution Day. The BBC's David Willey in Tripoli says all eyes were on the Libyan leader, wearing a general's uniform as he sat on a reviewing platform next to Libya's top military brass.
In pictures: Celebrating Gaddafi Profile: Muammar Gaddafi Much to celebrate? Libya in new demand over Pc deathIn pictures: Celebrating Gaddafi Profile: Muammar Gaddafi Much to celebrate? Libya in new demand over Pc death
Col Gaddafi arrived in the city's Green Square, which is adorned with Libyan flags and banners, dressed in full military attire. Col Gaddafi was seated behind bullet-proof glass on a huge stage - a tent-like structure with cascading white cloth - two seats from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
He is seated behind bullet-proof glass on a huge stage, a tent-like structure with cascading white cloth, two seats away from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, our reporter says. As the parade continued, an army band played while low-flying helicopters trailed banners bearing the portrait of Col Ghadaffi, our correspondent adds.
A fireworks display, with pyrotechnics launched from ships off the coast of Tripoli with follow the parade and show. Celebrations will last for a total of six days. As night fell, a lavish dance and drama spectacle got under way, and a huge fireworks display is set to be launched from ships anchored off the Tripoli coast.
Col Gaddafi took power on 1 September 1969 after a bloodless coup against the king. The celebrations are scheduled to last six days.
A small group of military officers led by the then unknown 27-year-old army officer staged a coup against King Idris, who was exiled to Egypt. Col Gaddafi took power on 1 September, 1969, after a bloodless coup against the king.
A small group of military officers led by the then-unknown 27-year-old army officer staged a coup against King Idris, who was exiled to Egypt.
The new regime, headed by the Revolutionary Command Council, subsequently banned political parties.The new regime, headed by the Revolutionary Command Council, subsequently banned political parties.
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Libyan dissident speaks outLibyan dissident speaks out
For years, Libya was ostracised by Western democracies who accused it of fostering terrorism abroad and displaying nuclear ambitions.For years, Libya was ostracised by Western democracies who accused it of fostering terrorism abroad and displaying nuclear ambitions.
But relations improved after Col Gaddafi renounced his pursuit of nuclear weapons in 2003.But relations improved after Col Gaddafi renounced his pursuit of nuclear weapons in 2003.
Libya also paid hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to victims of the Lockerbie bombing.Libya also paid hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to victims of the Lockerbie bombing.
AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAYIn all respect, a good leader should respect other people's opinions. Why not step aside for another leader to show what he has for the nation?Ibraheem Hameed, Khartoum Send us your commentsAFRICA HAVE YOUR SAYIn all respect, a good leader should respect other people's opinions. Why not step aside for another leader to show what he has for the nation?Ibraheem Hameed, Khartoum Send us your comments
But the only convicted bomber, Abdel Ali Mohammed al-Megrahi, was freed by the Scottish authorities on 20 August after he had served eight years of a life sentence for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103, in which 270 people died. But the only convicted bomber, al-Megrahi, was freed by the Scottish authorities on 20 August after he had served eight years of a life sentence for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103, in which 270 people died.
His subsequent hero's welcome in Tripoli generated anger in the US and UK. The British government has also been forced to deny reports that his release was linked to an oil deal.His subsequent hero's welcome in Tripoli generated anger in the US and UK. The British government has also been forced to deny reports that his release was linked to an oil deal.
As Libya marks its anniversary, British authorities have published all correspondence with Scottish ministers over his release.As Libya marks its anniversary, British authorities have published all correspondence with Scottish ministers over his release.