Libyan couple marries in the revolution’s square

Benghazi’s Tahrir Square, the center of the Libyan revolution, witnessed the first public marriage ceremony since the start of the February 17 revolution that demands the ouster of the ruling regime.

Faisal and Abeer tied the knot in the Mediterranean city of Benghazi despite the tough circumstances: the bride’s uncle was killed when the protestors stormed the headquarters of Gaddafi’s al-Fudail Ben Omar militia a few days ago in the same city, which is considered to be one of the regime’s most important strongholds.

Faisal, the groom, does not find it strange to marry in such circumstances and thinks that his ceremony will not be the last.

“Come everyday to the square and you will witness more wedding ceremonies,” he told Al Arabiya.

The bride’s father, Ali Saleh, agrees with his son-in-law and expects joy to spread all over Libya.

Many of the wedding guests think that Faisal and Abeer are now not only the most famous couple in Benghazi, but also in all Libya.

The marriage registrar said he was surprised in the beginning when he knew that that the marriage will take place in these circumstances.

“It looked strange at first but when I came to the square and saw how happy the guests were, I felt happy too.”

However, he still admitted that this is the strangest marriage he has ever witnessed.

(Translated from the Arabic by Sonia Farid)