Libyans Mark Eid with Optimism, Sadness

August 31, 2011

Wahabi Mohammed Yemeni stands at a checkpoint in his neighborhood in Tripoli, August 31, 2011

Libyans began their celebration of Eid al Fitr Wednesday with conflicting feelings about the holiday marking the end of Ramadan

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Libyan Wahabi Mohamed Yemeni won't be celebrating this Eid el Fitr holiday with the joy the end of Ramadan usually brings.

"Our family, we [celebrate] can't, because we're sad," said Yemeni. "No one [is] dead from our family. But our family, the same [Libyan] family, have dead people. Libya [is] one family."

During the battle for Tripoli, as rebels entered the capital, Yemeni's neighborhood came under fire from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.

"Saturday we had many snipers here, here and here," explained Yemeni.

While none in his immediate circle were killed, some were wounded. His neighbor took a bullet through the hip.

"It came in here and went out here," Yemeni recalled.

His brother was shot while coming home from evening prayer.

Yemeni, who runs a delivery business, took up arms during the chaotic days Gadhafi's forces were routed. He says he never had to shoot anyone, but was willing to if it meant protecting those around him.

"We'll do anything for the safety of my family, the safety of my people, for country, from Gadhafi. Anything," added Yemeni.