Libya: History

Pre-20th-Century History

The Romans invaded Tripolitania (the region around Tripoli) in 106 BC, and by 64 BC Julius Caesar's legions had completed the occupation. As a Roman province, Libya was prosperous, reaching a golden age in the 2nd century AD. The three principal Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea and Leptis Magna provided the empire with grain, oil and a supply of slaves and exotic goods from sub-Saharan Africa.

The decline of the Roman Empire saw the classical cities fall into ruin, a process hastened by the Vandals' destructive sweep though northern Africa in the 5th century AD. When the Byzantines took over in the 6th century, efforts were made to strengthen the old cities, but it was only a last gasp before they collapsed into disuse. Only Oea, which survives today as Tripoli, the nation's capital, remains a living city.

The Arab invasion of the 7th century brought Islam to the country, where it remains firmly entrenched to this day. Arab rule was culturally fruitful, and many examples of early Islamic architecture remain, especially in the oases of the south. The Arabs ruled Libya until the Turks conquered the country in the mid-16th century, administering it through a succession of locally appointed rulers who levied a toll on every Christian fleet using the Mediterranean.

Following the Napoleonic wars, European powers began to colonise northern Africa, and the Turks hastened to strengthen their control of Libya. Their last North African possession, Libya was taken from the Turks by Italy in that country's last-minute bid for colonies in Africa.

Modern History

The Italian colonial period proved devastating for native Libyans. Half of the indigenous population were either exiled or exterminated between 1911 and WWII. The country was reduced to a theatre of war in which huge minefields were laid, some remaining to the current day.

Italy lost Libya during WWII, and in 1951 the country became independent under King Idris. On 1 September 1969, a small group of army officers led by 27-year-old Captain Muammar Qaddafi deposed the king in a coup. British and American bases occupied since WWII were closed, and 30,000 Italian settlers were deported. The coup began to transform Libyan society.

Qaddafi's regime committed to a more equitable distribution of Libya's enormous oil income, and billions of dollars were spent on roads, schools, housing, hospitals and agriculture. In practice, however, Libya's government was and continues to be a strict military dictatorship.

Libya adopted a high international profile based on Pan-Arabism, its virulent condemnation of 'western imperialism', its support of liberation movements around the world and its military adventurism in Chad. What angered Western countries most was Qaddafi's alleged support of international terrorist organisations. These activities isolated Libya from the international community. The most violent reaction to Libya's politics came from the USA, culminating in the air strike of April 1986 that killed dozens of people, including Qaddafi's adopted baby daughter.

Libya's isolation deepened following the 1988 bombing of a Pan-Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 259 people on board and 11 on the ground. Libya was accused of planting the bomb, and two Libyans were named as suspects. The US and Britain demanded the suspects be turned over for trial, Libya refused, and the resulting standoff caused the US to force the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Libya.

Recent History

After the lifting of sanctions in 1999, Qaddafi began transforming Libya's 'terrorist state' image. He began styling himself as an African 'peacebroker', turning his back on his Arab neighbours to take a leading role in paving the way for a future Africa-wide federation similar to the European Union.

Qaddafi's control of Libya remained absolute, despite occasional outbreaks of civil disobedience and several rumoured military coup attempts. In 2003, Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and agreed to pay compensation to the families of victims. That same year it repudiated weapons of mass destruction, and the following year was visited by then British prime minister Tony Blair. Tourists also began returning to the country.

In 2006 the US government quietly removed Libya from its list of states sponsoring terrorism. It seemed the metamorphosis was complete. For the first time in decades, Libyans are optimistic, convinced that the future is theirs.

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