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Fears mix with tears of joy as Libyans rush to vote

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07-07-2012 | 02:23

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Fears mix with tears of joy as Libyans rush to vote

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Libyans, some with tears of joy in their eyes, queued to vote in their first free national election in 60 years on Saturday, a poll designed to shake off the legacy of Muammar Gaddafi but which risks being hijacked by violence.

But in the eastern city of Benghazi, cradle of last year's uprising and now seeking more autonomy from the interim government, protesters stormed polling stations and burned hundreds of ballot papers.

Libyans will choose a 200-member assembly which will elect a prime minister and cabinet before laying the ground for full parliamentary elections next year under a new constitution.

Candidates with Islamic agendas dominate the field of more than 3,700 hopefuls, suggesting Libya will be the next "Arab Spring" country after Egypt and Tunisia to see religious parties secure footholds in power after last year's uprisings.

Yet early voting there was calm and many ignored calls to boycott the election in protest that the east has been allotted only 60 seats in the assembly compared to 102 for the west.

Polls close at 8 p.m (1800 GMT) but meaningful partial results are not due until Sunday.

REUTERS

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