Libyans mark uprising anniversary

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3

It's been three years to the day since the start of the revolution that brought down Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Many in Tripoli see February 17th as a cause for celebration.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABD ALRAOF MOHAMED, LOCAL RESIDENT, SAYING:

"I've been waiting for this day to come, counting the minutes and seconds (THIS MAN SAYS). I'm happy with this blessed Eid, where tyrants and humiliation have fallen and, God willing, the country will now find peace."

These were the scenes in Tripoli three years ago.

It began with what was called a day of rage following a riot two days earlier over the arrest of a human rights activist.

A bloody civil war raged for months.

Gaddafi was eventually killed by rebels along with his son Mo'tassim.

Another son, Saif al-Islam, was captured alive.

In the present day Libya's due to elect an assembly on February 20th to draft a constitution