Libya Fetes 40 Years of Gaddafi Rule

Libya has begun a four day extravaganza on Tuesday to celebrate 40 years of Muammar Gaddafi’s rule.

Huge banners and posters with the words “Brother Leader of the Revolution" , as well as ubiquitous slogans of the "Great al-Fateh revolution" stood out at an arena compared by its international organizers to an Olympic opening ceremony.

Several African leaders joined tens of thousands of Libyans in a spectacular commemoration of the 1969 coup that brought Gaddafi to power.

Most Western leaders however stayed away because of the international criticism of the decision to release the convicted Lockerbie bomber and repatriate him back to his native Libya.

Libyan officials estimate that the cost of the event might top $35 million. [ES}