6 March 2012 Last updated at 07:27 ET
Libya: Semi-autonomy declared by leaders in east
Civic leaders in eastern Libya have declared semi-autonomy for the oil-rich region.
The decision was made at a meeting attended by at least 2,000 people near the eastern city of Benghazi.
Supporters of the move say the region, known as Cyrenaica, has been neglected for decades and local people should now decide on local matters.
But the governing National Transitional Council has argued against federalism, amid fears it could break up Libya.
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, reporting from the meeting, called the announcement a declaration of intent by the tribal leaders of Cyrenaica.
It is not yet clear what degree of autonomy the leaders are seeking, and will likely be the subject of much debate with the NTC in Tripoli over the coming months, he adds.
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