Libya's revolutionary leader calls for civil state

The chief of Libyas revolutionary movement told thousands of cheering Libyans in Tripoli Monday to strive for a civil, democratic state, while loyalists of the hunted dictator Moammar Gaddafi killed at least 15 opposition fighters in an attack on a key oil town in Libyas east.From hiding, Gaddafi urged his remaining followers to keep up the fight, a sign that Libyas six-month civil is not over even though revolutionary forces now control most of the country and have begun setting up a new government in the capital.Mustafa Abdul-Jalil addressed a rowdy crowd of thousands in Martyrs Square in central Tripoli, a site that until recently was famous for pro-Gaddafi rallies. Flanked by a few dozen revolutionary leaders in their largest public gathering since rebel forces stormed into the capital on Aug. 21, he called on Libyans to build a state based on the rule of law.No retribution, no taking matters into your own hands and no oppression. I hope that the revolution will not stumble because of any of these things, he said.As he spoke, thousands waved flags, cheered and chanted, Hold your head high, youre a free Libyan Some wept openly as fireworks exploded overhead.Abdul-Jalil heads the National Transitional Council, founded in the eastern city of Benghazi early in the six-month civil war to guide the rebel movement. Its leaders have been arriving in the capital since it fell into rebel hands last month to start building a new government.Abdul-Jalil, who served as Gaddafis justice minister before joining the rebels at the uprisings start, defined the government he says the NTC hopes to create.We strive for a state of the law, for a state of prosperity, for a state that will have Islamic sharia law the basis of legislation, he said.He also thanked NATO, the United States and a number of Arab and European countries for their aid to the rebels during the war. NATO bombed Gaddafis military under a U.N. mandate to protect civilians, giving rebel forces an edge on Gaddafis better armed and trained soldiers.Abdul-Jalil said the new Libya would focus on youth and women, adding that some ministries and embassies would be headed by women. Some have criticized the rebel movement for not putting women in leadership roles, and none stood on stage with the movements leaders.