Liberals Reportedly Leading in Libya

In Libya’s historic parliamentary elections, a liberal alliance appears to be in the lead. The Alliance of National Forces led by Mahmoud Jibril is already claiming victory. Jibril, a senior Gadhafi official-turned-rebel prime minister, serves as the leader of the coalition of more than 40 liberal parties.

Approximately 1.7 million of some 2.8 million registered voters cast their ballots in Saturday’s election. The transitional parliament will have 200 deputies. The official results are not expected until late Monday.

People in Tripoli, Benghazi and other cities are celebrating the first free election in their country’s history with shouts of “Libya is Free,” AP reported.