LEAD: Libya interim ruler urges tolerance on independence anniversary

Dec 24, 2011, 17:48 GMT

Tripoli - Libya's interim ruler, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, Saturday called on his compatriots to be tolerant and forgiving while rebuilding the North African country after 42 years of autocracy.

'We have to avoid rancour and revenge, and make forgiveness a trait of relations among Libyans,' Jalil said at a ceremony in the capital Tripoli marking the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Italy.

Libyans were celebrating the occasion for the first time, as it was banned for 42 years under former leader Moamer Gaddafi.

Jalil, who heads the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC), said that caring for the people wounded in 10 months of the armed struggle against the Gaddafi regime would be a top priority for state institutions.

'We have to prove to the world, who sided with our legitimate revolution (against Gaddafi), that the Libyan people are capable of shouldering their responsibility,' said Jalil, as the national flag adopted in the era of monarchy fluttered in the background.

Earlier in the day, official celebrations were held in Tripoli and other parts of the country.

On December 24, 1951, Libya was declared independent under King Idris al-Sanusi, one of the leaders of the resistance to Italian occupation.

Idris was later deposed in a 1969 military coup led by Gaddafi, who only allowed the date of his coup to be marked.

Gaddafi was captured and killed in his hometown, Sirte, by fighters loyal to the NTC on October 20.

The country's new leaders have got rid of Gaddafi's green flag, and reverted to the red, green and black flag that flew over Libya when the monarchy was in power.