Libya's interim leaders declared the nation's freedom Sunday, ushering in a new era after the death of longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi.
"Libyan lands have now been completely liberated," said Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of Libya's National Transitional Council.
Cheering crowds packed a central square in Benghazi Sunday afternoon for a ceremony that leaders said formally marked victory after eight months of fighting.
"We are now united. We have become brothers in love," said Mustafa Jalil, the council's chairman.
He called on Libyans to have "honesty, patience and tolerance" as the nation moves toward reconciliation.
The location of Sunday's ceremony was significant. Uprisings against Gadhafi's regime began in Benghazi in February.
Audience members carried signs, waved flags and batted around balloons. As leaders spoke, the sound of celebratory machine-gun fire filled the air.
Officials urged Libyans to lay down their arms, but not to let down their guard.
"Our people have achieved this freedom by the blood of our brothers, sisters and martyrs. Freedom is great and it's got a great price. It is costly. So turn your teeth into nails and bite on it very hard. Because preserving it is more difficult than attaining it," one military official said at the ceremony.
Earlier Sunday, doctors completed Gadhafi's autopsy at a Misrata hospital, with the chief pathologist confirming the former strongman died Thursday of a gunshot wound to the head.
Dr. Othman el-Zentani, the pathologist, did not disclose additional findings.
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