Thousands of Libyans gathered today to mark the first anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled Muammar Gadafy.
Flags decorated public buildings and streets in the capital Tripoli and in Benghazi, the cradle of the revolution.
Security was tightened, with roadblocks set up and militias from across the country brought into the capital, after Saadi Gadafy, a son of the former dictator, last week predicted a loyalist "uprising" today.
The White House today called on Libya's new leaders to be more transparent in their decisions and respect the rights of all Libyans in a message marking the first anniversary of the revolt.
Acknowledging that democracy will take time to build, President Barack Obama's press secretary, Jay Carney, emphasised that oil-producing Libya's natural wealth could now be invested for the benefit of the entire nation.
"The Transitional National Council and government should take full advantage of this historic moment by making decisions openly and transparently," Mr Carney said in a statement, which also repeated Washington's promise assist the country.
"The revolutionaries who fought so hard for liberty now have a responsibility to protect their freedoms by working with the government to establish stability, peace, and reconciliation," he said.
Libya's ruling National Transitional Council declared victory on October 23rd, three days after Gadafy’s death at the hands of rebel fighters.
Since then, authorities have struggled to create a unified administration and revive the economy as they prepare for national elections due in June. Protests accusing the NTC of incompetence and secrecy are widespread.
Amnesty International said in a report this week that detainees have been tortured and sometimes killed by militias that the government is unable to control.
Reuters