LIBYA declared itself liberated yesterday after 42 years of rule by Muammar Gaddafi ended with his capture and death last week, getting the North African state ready for a transition towards democracy.

VETERAN militant Ayman al-Zawahri has taken command of al-Qaida after the killing of Osama bin Laden, an Islamist website said, a move widely expected following his long years as second-in-command.