Libya Rebels Thank Obama, Sarkozy, Cameron, Rice With Huge Poster In Benghazi Square (PHOTOS)

As Libyans gathered early Monday morning to celebrate rebel advancement into Tripoli and the arrest of Seif al-Islam, Moammar Gaddafi's second eldest son, some had a clear message to world leaders: "Thank You."

Libyans supportive of rebel forces held up a large sign with portraits of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Above their images was written: "FANTASTIC 4."

"GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANKS FOR ALL" was written below their portraits.

Scroll down for photos

In March, the United States joined a multinational coalition and conducted military operations in Libya, something President Obama reiterated in his statement on Monday:

In the face of this aggression, the international community took action. The United States helped shape a U.N. Security Council resolution that mandated the protection of Libyan civilians. An unprecedented coalition was formed that included the United States, our NATO partners and Arab nations. And in March, the international community launched a military operation to save lives and stop Qaddafi’s forces in their tracks.

In a July trip to Istanbul, Hillary Clinton announced that the United States would recognize the primary rebel group, the Transitional National Council, as Libya's government.

Read the latest updates on Libya from the HuffPost's Live Blog, and click here for more photos of Libyans celebrating.

LOOK: "Thank You" Poster in Benghazi Square:

Photographs by Alexandre Meneghini of the Associated Press. H/T ThinkProgress.

Comments

[vobox3343]

12:03 PM on 10/20/2011

Unlike the fake photos provided to us of Bush surrounded by throngs of Iraqis, this is real. Job well done, President Obama. Independents and Democrats must stop the lie machine of the GOP.

[KingGeorgetheTurd]

11:53 AM on 10/20/2011

Looks like that inexperienced community organizer just showed the US military Industrial Complex , since the Vietnam era, how to really win the hearts and minds of your enemy.

[vobox3343]

12:09 PM on 10/20/2011

Well, McCain admitted to this president being a "quick study." Now if only the rest of them could catch up with quickness in getting things done. Perhaps those Republican candidates will agree to help this nation by donating their campaign funds to helping those in need. Seems like such a waste to throw that kind of money away.

[garysgary]

12:39 PM on 08/25/2011

Hey, look Dick Cheney, we're being welcomed as liberators!

[Rubiconski]

05:18 AM on 08/25/2011

I saw:

something burning
crowd scenes shot from the air
teen-aged males dancing on Ghadaffi's face
teen-agers blowing horns
teen-aged flag wavers

So I guess that equates to the fall of Tripoli .

When I turned on Al Jewzeera, I was expecting to see Tripoli. Instead it was Benghazi.

[madsen26]

08:28 PM on 08/24/2011

Oh, thank God it's that Rice. I thought they meant that Condolizzie Rice who came to Tripoli a few years back and batted her eyelashes at Gaddafi.

[rohrscheibcroh]

11:46 AM on 09/18/2011

me to lol she is a waste

[TheFarLeft]

11:54 AM on 08/24/2011

This is good. Libya loves us now, and this support could spill over into other Middle Eastern nations and tribes, increasing support from them as well. This could open the door for new Intelligence assets, which could help us combat Al-Qaeda and the like.

[liberal leaning]

09:47 AM on 08/24/2011

Only abroad does this President get any props.

[rog1112]

12:55 PM on 08/24/2011

Our president gets props in the USA, but not from republican extremists / TP'ers, FOX 24/7/365 propaganda, etc. It only feels like everyone with the 15-20% screaming far right extremists.

[liberal leaning]

01:29 PM on 08/24/2011

Thanks I needed that.

[vobox3343]

11:55 AM on 10/20/2011

Really sad.

[ber6964]

09:39 AM on 08/24/2011

President Obama 2012

[LE PHILANTROPE AVERTI]

06:50 AM on 08/24/2011

Simple reading of human history may lead us to conclude that there is a real risk of history repeating itself. If a new individual or group dictatorship emerges from the present libarators then the West might accept it again provided oil flows. What a shame?

[Joe Treichel]

02:11 AM on 08/24/2011

“WHO PRINTED THE SIGN”??? The fact that there is even any follow up giving this question any credibility is very telling. It is very clear to me that some of you must be bought and paid for otherwise unemployed Teapublican perpetrators. How can you continue to redirect and deflect issues in order to fulfill an agenda that is so contrary to your own long-term interest? Hitler paid people to promote propaganda against self interest too. Think about it...

[James Meinema]

04:57 PM on 08/24/2011

you want to talk bought and paid for do you have any idea what the economic loss is for american companies waiting this rebellion out is and how many american jobs depend on this country 10s of thousands of jobs and 100s of billions of dollars so the 20 or 30 odd billion in expense may be worth it you think

[Joe Treichel]

01:47 AM on 08/24/2011

What I see here is a multitude of people embracing America and our Allies. This is not like any of the wars that Obama inherited where his hands have been tied. Here we were welcomed, invited and even begged by a repressed people to be a part of a solution from tyranny. We have a real chance here to embrace a new nation and friend. Let’s embrace them

[dawnec1957]

02:32 PM on 08/24/2011

Thank you. Your Fan #5

[James Meinema]

05:00 PM on 08/24/2011

amasing how many people wine when someone says something constructive

[Pauline Jaing]

09:47 PM on 08/23/2011

Gee, do ya think they will make DOLLS out of them, like they made out of Bush when he landed his carcas on that aircraft carrier?

You know the SECOND you see something like that you have a NEW set of Stalinists running the world AS DICTATORS who will use any kind of lie or force to get whatever their sick brains want at any moment -- when have we seen such disgusting displays of FOREIGNERS by so-called rebels since then?

Instead of the Soviets, they now have this passel of THIEVES!

[mdandros]

08:53 PM on 08/23/2011

Gosh the Repubs are upset today.
Just nothing good in this war ending that they can spin and scream about.
Don't worry guys I know you'll think of something
Hey, you can still rant and complain about the color and pattern of President Obama's golf pants.

[vobox3343]

12:14 PM on 10/20/2011

Or Mrs. Obama's attire.

[castcutters]

08:43 PM on 08/23/2011

Who are the drones who act as these community censors on this site? Are these ex-civil defense workers, or volunteer fire police? What gives these clones the right to decide what is going to be heard , or not. I take the time to write some seriously provocative s**t, and these do-GOODERS want to make it all mundane, flat and watered down. Is that the way it's going to be in Obama-land from here on in?? We've got to pass the litmus test before we can say something clever, or funny, or hillarious? Jeeeze, might as well go read abour Arriana's vacation retrospective. What a snooze!

[Dick Stone]

08:39 PM on 08/23/2011

I wonder which country sent the sign to them, it was obviously something that was prepared for the event elsewhere. This may be openly celebrated by many but there are many more average Libyans that are wishing this never happened and that their Gaddafi was still there.

[Obama Lady 2008]

09:06 PM on 08/23/2011

Bull...Where are they??? Why are they not out fight for "their Gaddafi"...And FYI...They have printers in Lybia.lol

[atokageneral]

09:49 PM on 08/23/2011

...apparently your DElusion works hard and loves his job. You teapuppets are such easy targets!