[Daily Nation (Kenya)] The leader of one of Libya's main Islamist parties has said a rival liberal coalition had a solid advantage after the country's first election since the ouster of Muammar Qadaffy....a reminder that a single man with an idea can change an entire nation, usually for the worse...
"The National Forces Alliance achieved good results in some large cities except Misrata. They have a net lead in Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of thich is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
and in Benghazi," said Mohammed Sawan, who heads the Justice and Construction party.
The bulk of Libya's population and registered voters are concentrated in the capital, which lies in the west of the oil-rich desert country, and in the eastern city of Benghazi.
"But it is a tight race for us in the south," Sawan added.
Libyans on Saturday voted for a General National Congress, a 200-member legislative assembly which will steer the country through a transition period following the toppling and killing of Qadaffy last year.
A total of 80 seats in the incoming congress are reserved for political entities while the remaining 120 are open to individual candidates, some of which are openly allied to specific parties.
From the parties, the National Forces coalition of ex-wartime prime minister Mahmud Jibril is seen as the key liberal contender, facing competition from two Islamist groups -- the Justice and Construction party and Al-Wattan.