Votes cast in first election after Gadhafi

TRIPOLI, (AP):Jubilant Libyan voters marked a major step towards democracy after decades of erratic one-man rule, casting their ballots yesterday in the first parliamentary election after last year's overthrow and killing of long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi.

But the joy was tempered by boycott calls, the burning of ballots and other violence in the country's restive east.

In the capital Tripoli, residents turned out in droves to cast votes for the 200-seat legislature.

beautiful feeling

Lines began to form outside polling centres more than an hour before they were scheduled to open. Policemen and soldiers were guarding the centres, searching voters as well as election workers.

"I have a strange but beautiful feeling today," said dentist Adam Thabet, waiting outside a polling centre. "We are free at last after years of fear. We knew this day was coming, but we were afraid it could take long to come."

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in a station in the capital, Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib said: "We are celebrating today and we want the whole world to celebrate with us."

However, Libya's intense regional, tribal, and ideological divisions have cast a shadow over the vote.

In the oil-rich east, there is a thriving pro-autonomy movement fuelled by widespread resentment at what is perceived as domination by Tripoli.

Some easterners back a boycott of the election and yesterday protesters torched ballot boxes in 14 out of 19 polling centres in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, according to former rebel commander in the area Ibrahim Fayed.

But in Tripoli, voters celebrated. Libyans flashed the 'V' for victory sign as they entered polling centres. Motorists honked their horns as they drove past to greet the voters lined outside. Others shouted "Allahu Akbar", or "God is Greater", from their car windows.