Politics of the Middle East The Maghreb

Libya Population 6,244,174 (108th) GDP $70.386 billion (80th) Per capita $11,497 (82nd) 1977 onward, per capita income in the country rose to more than US $11,000 1947 Independence from Italy 1951 Released from UK French Mandate 1969 Muammar Gaddafi seized power 2011 Civil War, NATO intervention 2014 General Elections

Gaddafi 1 September 1969, military officers led by 27-year-old army officer Muammar Gaddafi staged a coup d'état against King Idris 2 March 1977, Libya officially became the "Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya". Gaddafi officially passed power to General People's Committees, claiming to a symbolic figurehead Formally a democracy though the government refused to publish results The Green Book 1975- From 1977 1986 assassination attempt by US A gathering of more than 200 African kings and traditional rulers, meeting August 2008, conferred on Colonel Gaddafi the title "King of Kings of Africa".

Foreign Relations Chadian–Libyan conflict 1977 Libya started delivering military supplies to militias in Chad, then invaded Libya and Egypt fought a four-day border war sponsored paramilitary and terrorist groups around the world 1986 Airstrike 1988 Lockerbie Return to the international community following admission of guilt for Lockerbie and compensation paid.

Revolution 17 February 2011, National Transnational Council NATO intervention, No Fly Zones October 2011 loyalist forces defeated Gaddafi Killed 2011, Battle of Sirte July 2012, first parliament elected  

French Rule Mass protests against French rule May 1945, met with harsh response. 15,000 deaths 1947 Organic Statute of Algeria, ‘meritous’ 1954 – 62 War of Independence Evian Accords, 1 million French Algerians leave the exodus deprived the country of most of its managers, civil servants, engineers, teachers, physicians, and skilled workers. Several 100’s of thousands made homeless 70 %t of the work force was unemployed

Islamists Parties and Government Challenges 1989 New Constitution Islamic Salvation Front won elections with 50% of the vote in 1990 Military intervention followed, crack down on ISF, subsequent elections postponed. Low intensity civil conflict with the state continues Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat 2006 al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) 1996 a referendum introduced changes to the constitution, enhancing presidential powers and banning Islamist parties Civil Concord was approved in a nationwide referendum 2000 offered amnesty for anti government rebels, 80% decrees in insurgent activity In September 2005, another referendum

Revolution high unemployment, food inflation, corruption, poor living conditions, freedom of speech Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year street vendor, who set himself afire in protest at the confiscation of his goods and humiliation by a municipal official. violence erupted following Bouazizi's death  President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down on 14 January 2011, after 23 years in power.