TRIPOLI, Libya, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Libyans marked the one-year anniversary Friday of the start of the revolution that led to Col. Moammar Gadhafi's ouster, observers said.
While celebrations were planned across the country, militias operate freely and residents express uneasiness.
In Tripoli, the capital, blogger Khadija Teri noted signs reading "no guns" outnumber those that say "no smoking," CNN reported.
Teri said she's seen men pulling their weapons during arguments.
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"Seeing men shouting, waving guns and pointing them at each other just because of a silly argument is frightening," she wrote.
The militias commit crimes that go unpunished and threaten the stability of the nation as it tries to rebuild, human rights groups say.
Amnesty International said some militias' abuses are war crimes and has urged Libyan authorities to act against them.
The uprising that led to the toppling of Gadhafi's regime after 40 years in power began in Benghazi a year ago Friday. He was killed in Sirte Oct. 20.
The BBC said no official celebrations have been announced, out of respect for the thousands who died in the battle for control of the country, but locally arranged celebrations are happening.
CNN said numerous Libyans expressed frustration with the slow pace of rebuilding while others criticized a lack of transparency in decision-making and the government's inability to control the militias.
Former transitional government leader Ali al-Tarhoni acknowledged much work remains, Voice of America reported.
"The revolution has met one of its important demands -- which is liberating the country and toppling the autocratic regime, but now we are passing through another stage to rebuild the country," Tarhoni said.
"It is a stage that faces major challenges. We meet the kind of challenges that are different than we overcame in the last stage. My question is, are we able to overcome these challenges to build the democratic and Islamic country? I'm so optimistic because I think we have the abilities to do so."
