Sunday, August 28, 2011

Tripoli returning to normalcy


Libya:  Life is slowly returning to normal in Tripoli, a week after anti-regime rebels took control of most of the Libyan capital.

Shops have reopened, there's brisk business at the market, and only the near-incessant blaring of car horns suggests that life has changed there for ever.

At one market, residents stocked up on canned goods and eggs and haggled over fresh fruit and vegetables.

"Thank God, we have plenty of food in the market," said local resident Mohammed Jarrahi. "We are still working, like normal days, we have had no rest. We have plenty of milk and potatoes are cheap."

Though the rebels now control most of Libya, including Tripoli, they are struggling to alleviate shortages of water, fuel and electricity in the capital.

The deputy leader of the new city council has said that between 60 and 70 percent of Tripoli residents don't have enough water, but that the shortages are due to technical problems, not sabotage by regime forces.

On the streets, though, there are still noisy celebrations following the apparent disintegration of Gadhafi's 42-year regime.

Car horns blare incessantly, the pre-Gadhafi national flag is ubiquitous, and framed photographs of the dictator are openly mocked and broken.

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