Contemporary
History
of Libya
Snapshots Along the Way
A Word of Gratitude
Pre-Islam
•The Greek named North Africa “Libyae”, later they used the name for only “Libya”
•The original inhabitants of Libya are the Barbars
•Shishanq the 1st , a Libyan Barbar, ruled Egypt and established a dynasty 945-730 B.C.
•The Carthaginians (Venetians) established 10 cities, among which was Tripoli, in Western Libya.
•In the 5th century Tripoli became a Venetian colony.
•The Greeks colonized Eastern Libya in the 7th century and established Seren Qurina (Shahhat) in 631 B.C. followed by the
five cities (Pentapolis)
•The South of Libya was under the control of the Gramenites (said to be from Egypt)
•Libya became unified under the Romans for about 400 years, or until 435 CE.
The Coming of Islam to Libya
Islam came to North Africa (especially Libya) during the times of Umar Ibn
Alkhattab, Othman Ibn Affan, and Muaweya Ibn Abi Sufian.
Leading the Muslim armies were: Amr Ibn Alaas (conquered Tripoli in 642
CE); Uqba Ibn Nafei (went to Zuwaila in the South); Bushr Ibn Abi Artaa
(went to Mt. Nafoosa); and Abdulla Ibn Al-Zubair (captured Subrata)
The Othman Rule in Libya
Libya came under the Othman rule during the reign of Suleiman Al-Qanuni in 1551
The first Othman rule: 1551 – 1711
The Qaramannly Era: 1711 – 1835
The Qaramannly “dynasty” was established by Ahmad Pasha Al-Qramannly
During the time of Yusuf Pasha Al-Qaramannly, his naval forces gained superiority in the
Mediterranean; he was able to impose tariffs on some European countries; and enter into
treaties with others like Napoleon against Portugal.
In 1801 the armada of Yusuf Pasha was able to take the American ship Philadelphia in a sea
battle.
The second Othman rule: 1835 - 1912
The American-Qramannly conflict, and the capturing of Philadelphia
Political rift between Yusuf Pasha and the American consular in Tripoli stemming
from the Americans not paying tariffs and other gifts for activities of its fleet in the
Mediterranean. This reached a peak when America favorite treatment toward
Algeria and Tunisia.
In 1800, a naval ship belonging to the Qaramannly’s attacked the American ship,
Katherine, causing serious damage.
American navy captured the ship Tripoli with 14 canons and 50 sailors on board.
On June 15, 1802 the Qaramannly navy captured the American ship Franklin.
The Americans imposed a naval blockade around Tripoli. The Qaramannly forces
lured the ship Philadelphia into chasing some of their boats into shallow waters and
became grounded.
The Americans were able to sneak through and set fire to the Philadelphia so that
the Qaramannlys could not benefit from it.
The Italian Occupation: 1911 - 1941
Factors that contributed to the Italian colonization of Libya:
External Factors:
• Weakness of the Othman Empire
• Colonization, style of the day,
readily accepted internationally
•Existence of Treaties and Alliances
among European nations.
Internal Factors:
• Deterioration of the local Othman
rule in Tripoli.
• Instability of Governors, and regional
conflicts
• Loss of control of inner towns and
the surfacing of tribal rebellion
• The emergence of religious
movement (the Sunusis in 1896) and
the shifting of allegiance by the
populous to them.
Stages of the Italian Occupation
Peaceful penetration:
• Missionaries
• Italian schools
• Economic activities (Bank of
Rome); land purchases; political
influence
Military Invasion:
• Coastal colonies 1911 – 1921
• Inland colonies 1921 – 1931
• Stability period 1931 - 1941
Crimes of the Italian occupation in Libya◌ِ
• Mass killing: more than
600,000 killed.
• Starving of population,
killing of herds, back filling of
wills.
• Drafting of young men and
forcing them to fight in
Abyssinia
• Limiting education beyond
elementary to Italians only.
• Confiscation of lands,
which forced Libyans to
migrate.
• Concentration camps.
70,000 men, women and
children died in the camps,
which were established to
isolate the population from
the Mujahdeen.
The Libyan Resistance and Jihad Movement
The Eastern Area (Barqa)
The fact that the Sunusi movement was more active and visible
in the Eastern part of the country helped spur on the resistance.
The leader of the movement, Said Ahmad Al-Sharif, was the
first to issue orders to his followers to resist and fight the
invaders.
The Mujahdeen engaged in more than 15 battles in 1914 alone.
In 1916 Said Ahmad Al-Sharif handed over the affairs of Barqa
to Idris Sunusi, who used Ijdabia as his headquarter. He also
engaged in political negotiations and treaties using the British
as mediators:
1916 – Zwaitena negotiations
April 1917 – The Akrama truce
Oct 25, 1920 – Ar-Rajma Agreement, through which
Idris was able to form the South Barqa Sunusi Imarat
(Gov.)
March 1923 – The fascists cancelled all treaties and
targeted the Sunusi followers, which lead to the Jihad era led by
Umar Al-Mukhtar.
The Western Area (Tripoli)
As soon as the Italians landed on the Western shores of
Libya, the Mujahid Suleiman Al-Barouni galvanized the
resistance and the various tribes gathered to fight the
invadors.
The Mujahideen waged about 15 battles
The number of Mujahideen reached 15,000 under the
leadership of Suleiman Al-Barouni when in 1913 they
captured Al-Jabel Al-Gharbi in the battle of Al-Asabeya.
On Nov 16, 1918 the Trabilseya Republic was declared
with two capitals: Gheryan & Azezeya. It has a
parliament and a judicial council.
The Republic was lead by tribal leaders: Ramadan
Swehli, Abd Alnabi Bel-Khair, Ahmad Lamreyadh, and
Suleiman Al-Barouni as the organizer.
The Suwani Ben Yadim Truce recognized the Trabilseya
Repubic.
The National Reform Party was formed in 1919 led by
Ahmad Bek Lamreyadh.
The Southern Area (Fazzan)
The Sunusis spearheaded the resistance
movement led by Mohamed Abed Al-Sunusi
headquartered in Zallah.
Sheikh Mohamed Abdallah Al-Busaifi led the
battles of: Alsheb, Eshkeddeh, and the battle of
Mahrougha where he was martyred.
In 1929 the Mujahid Ahmad Saif Al-Nasr gathered
Bedouin Mujahideen to provide support to Umar
Al-Mukhtar.
In 1930 Italy occupied Fazzan.
Qurthabeya Battle
2000 Mujahid: from Barqa (led by
Saffy Addeen Al-Sunusi) and from
Fazzan led by Ahmad Saif Al-Nasr
The forces under Ramadan Swehli
in coordination with those under
Saffy Eddeen encircled 5000
Italians and defeated them.
This battle reflected the national
unity since tribes from all over
Libya participated.
Umar Al-Mukhtar
1923 - 1931
•
Born in Barqa in 1862
•
Was Sheikh (Imam) of
Al-Qusoor Zaweya.
• in 1922 Amir Idris Sunusi
assigned to him the political and
military leadership of the Zaweya.
• Italian forces in Barqa numbered
20,000 fighting 2,000, ill equipped
mujahideen.
• Some of the famous battles he
waged were Ar-Rhaiba, Beer AlZaiton, and Al-Shefateer.
• Fell in Captivity on Sept 11,
1931.
• A “special” military court
sentenced him to death by
hanging.
• He was hanged on Sept 16,
1931 in Seloog before large
crowds that were forced to watch.
The Battle of Independence
• In June 1940 Italy declared war
on Britain.
• The British contacted Amir Idris
requesting help.
• Amir Idris convened a meeting
with the Libyan leaders in exile.
• They decided on Aug 9, 1940 to
form an army that was named
“the Libyan Arab Forces”
• In a short period the army had
14,000 soldiers.
• The British defeated the
Italians.
• In 1942 a British directorate
was declared in Barqa and
Tripoli, and a French one in
Fazzan.
• The Beaven Sfoorza initiative
to divide Libya into 3 areas of
control: Italian (Tripoli), British
(Barqa), and French (Fazzan)
failed in the UN by 1 vote on
May 17, 1949.
• Amir Idris declared the
independence of Barqa on
June 1, 1949.
• The UN General Assembly
declared that Libya shall be an
independent, sovereign nation
before January 1952.
Declaration of Independence
• The National Founding Committee
was formed on Nov 25, 1950
consisting of 60 members, 20 from
each State.
• Its task was to create a constitution
for Libya.
• The Committee approved the
Monarchy as a system of
government, The Federal system,
and the national flag.
• On Oct 7, 1951 the Committee
approved the new constitution.
• On Dec 24, 1951 King Idris AsSunusi declared from the Manar
Palace in Benghazi the
independence of Libya and the
establishment of the “United
Kingdom of Libya”
The Government Structure
• The Monarchy
• Legislative:
• Senate
• Congress
• Executive:
• Prime Minister
• Cabinet
• Judicial
• Supreme Court
• Federal and local
courts.
‫المراجع ‪:‬‬
‫د‪ .‬محمد يوسف المقريف “ليبيا بين الماضي والحاضر صفحات من التاريخ السياسي” – ميالد‬
‫دولة اإلستقالل –الجزء األول مركز الدراسات الليبية اوكسفورد‪.‬‬
‫نجم الدين الكيب فصول في التاريخ الليبي الدار العربية للكتاب‬
‫عبد المنصف حافظ البوري “الغزو اإليطالي لليبيا” شركة كاظم للنشر والترجمة والتوزيع‬
‫شارل فيرو “الحوليات الليبيه منذ الفتح العربي حتى لغزو اإليطالي” ترجمة د‪.‬محمد الوافي‬
‫جامعة قاريونس‪.‬‬
‫‪ http://www.albakour.com‬كل الصور من موقع الباكور‪.‬‬