Thousands celebrate freedom in eastern Libya

Tobruk (AP):

Thousands in the coastal town of Tobruk celebrated their freedom from Moammar Gadhafi by waving flags of the old monarchy, honking horns and firing guns in the air around a city square where he once executed people.

Officers in the army units that had defected to the rebellion against Libya's leader for the past four decades pledged on Wednesday to defend this "liberated territory" with their lives, despite Gadhafi's threats a day earlier to retake it.

"The army in the east is with all the people," declared Major Salma Faraj Issa, a top aide to the general commanding the army units from Tobruk. Those units rebelled against Gadhafi after being ordered to open fire on people.

Ready for attack

"We're ready for him if he does attack. We have rocket launchers and other weapons. We know there will be deaths, but we are prepared," said Issa, a robust woman wearing fatigues, with dyed blond hair and gold eye shadow.

Gadhafi's hold on the rest of the country slipped further amid an uprising spreading across the Arab world, inspired by the toppling of leaders in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia. Cities and towns closer to the capital of Tripoli reportedly fell into the hands of the rebellion against his rule. Two air force pilots ejected from their fighter jet and let it crash in the desert rather than follow orders to bomb an opposition-held city.