Liberals hold early lead in Libya

Residents in Benghazi said they’re happy with how the results appear to be shaping up. Numbers from Libya’s historic democratic vote are beginning to come in. The preliminary results indicate that the National Forces Alliance is sweeping the vote. Statistics show Alliance to have nabbed 60% of votes countrywide compared with Islamist parties garnering only 10-15% of voter support. What represents a tremendous political upset comes as no surprise to Benghazi residents.

Libya’s liberal party popularity breaks with trends in Egypt, Tunisia and the region where Moslem Brotherhood parties have steadily gained power. The Alliance is led by a former economic strategist. The group platform calls for education and business reforms and transparency in government financial dealings. For Libyans, it’s a post-Gaddafi breath of fresh air that doesn’t signify a departure from Islam. Election results haven’t been officially announced. But Alliance party members say they’ve already entered coalition talks with Islamist Party leaders. (Xinhua)