Libyans celebrate after voting. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969. Calls for boycott and election violence threatens the momentous day as campaigning drew to a close the day before the July 7th election.
After voting a woman exits the poll with her child at Al Sakina School In Tripoli Libyans go to the polls for the first time in four decades on July 7th 2012. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969.
Radio host Ayo interviews Issraa Murabit after she voted on July 7th, 2012 in one of Tripoli's english language stations Tripoli FM. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969.
A woman holds a photo of her martyred son in downtown Tripoli as others celebrate the vote. Libyans celebrate after voting.After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969.
Girls jump on a trampoline in an amusement park in Tripoli, Libya. On July 6th 2012
Young boys on bikes in Martyr Square in Tripoli, Libya. 42 years after the reign of Col. Muammar Gaddafi and a violent civil war Libya is waking up to a new and free country. With civil services and the countries infrastructure in ruins Libyans struggle with the transition period from dictatorship to democracy.
Medical students talk in a downtown cafe on July 10th, 2012 in Tripoli, Libya.
Students at Tripoli University attend a meeting of the elected Student Council on July 12th 2012.
Students at Tripoli University sing the national anthem and attend a meeting of the elected Student Council on July 12th 2012.
Men play a shooting game at Tripo Land, an amusement park in Tripoli Libya.
Students at Tripoli University, in front of a mural painted by Bilal and Nazih on July 12th 2012.
Mabroka Rajah with her newly born baby in Tripoli Medical Center. Children born after the Civil War will never know what Libya was like under Gaddafi.
A newly born baby in incubation in Tripoli Medical Center. Children born after the Civil War will never know what Libya was like under Gaddafi.
A group of men debate politics outside of a coffee house on the eve of the country's first election since the end of the Gaddafi rule, Calls for boycott and election violence threatens the momentous day as campaigning drew to a close the day before the July 7th election.
Libyans celebrate after voting in Martyr's Square after voting. Formally called Green Square, where Col. Gaddafi would make yearly speeches.
Boys escape the summer heat by diving into the ocean in downtown Tripoli on July 1st, 2012.
A girl surfaces after swimming in the ocean in downtown Tripoli on July 1st, 2012.
Men debate which polling station to go to. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969. Calls for boycott and election violence threatens the momentous day as campaigning drew to a close the day before the July 7th election.
Women take notes during the Libyan International Women's Organization meeting in Tripoli on July 11th, 2012.
Al Araby, an Egyptian man cuts and sells shark pieces to a customer at a roadside fish market in Tripoli, Libya. Many Egyptians come to Libya to find work in the strong oil economy.
A family shops for clothing in a shopping mall in Souq Al-Jum'a in Tripoli on July 10th 2010.
Boys escape the summer heat by going to the ocean in downtown Tripoli on July 1th, 2012
At Tripoli Land, an amusement park in Tripoli men wait for a ride to begin. While not required, men and women separate themselves on the ride as the nation is traditionally conservative.
Children enjoy themselves on a ride in Martyr's Square in Tripoli, Libya. Public spaces morph into amusement parks during the summer months in Libya as the heat keeps many indoors all day.
A gun hangs in a vacation home. Since the revolution many families have become more self reliant and have arms to protect themselves.
A campaign poster outside of Bab Azizya, the palace where Col. Gaddafi lived. It has since been ransacked and destroyed.
A group of men debate politics outside of a coffee house on the eve of the country's first election since the end of the Gaddafi rule, July 6th, 2012. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969.
A group of men play table football of the country's first election since the end of the Gaddafi rule, July 6th, 2012. After 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi's reign, Libyans are participating in the first democratic election since 1969.