A new era begins in Libya.<br/> <br />Citizens cast their ballots in the country's first free national election in almost 60 years.<br/> <br />They are voting for a 200-member assembly that will run Libya for at least the next six months.<br/> <br />The poll is a key step in the country's transition to democracy and follows a bloody uprising last year that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN VOTER, TAREK AHMED, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I feel that this is a cheerful day for all Libyans. Fifty thousand people have sacrificed their life and many others were injured for a day like this."<br/> <br />Among those casting their ballots was Libya's prime minister, Abdurrahim El-Keib.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBYAN PRIME MINISTER, ABDURRAHIM EL-KEIB SAYING:<br/> <br />"Fantastic. It is a well deserved feeling for all the Libyans and they are going to surprise the world as they did during the revolution. Inshallah (God willing)."<br/> <br />But many are worried security problems and tribal rivalries may overshadow the vote.<br/> <br />Andrew Raven, Reuters.
