Libya's foreign policies have undergone much fluctuation and change since the state declared its independence from Italy on December 24, 1951. In the Muammar al-Gaddafi era, it has been marked by severe tension with the West (especially the United States, although relations were normalized in the early 21st century) and by Gaddafi's activist policies in the Middle East and Africa, including his financial and military support for numerous paramilitary and rebel groups. Cover of English language edition published by the Libyan government There are multiple Green Books. ... Jamahiriya (Arabic جماهيرية) is an Arabic term generally translated as state of the masses. ... Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qaddafi 1 — pronounced Gaddafi — (Arabic: معمر القذافي ) (born c. ... This page lists Heads of State of Libya since 1951. ... The General Peoples Congress (Mutammar al-shaab al âmm) consists out of circa 2700 representatives of the Basis Peoples Congresses. ... Zentani Muhammad az-Zentani is the president of Libya, and has been since 1992. ... List of Heads of Government of Libya Categories: | | ... Libyan prime minister, Baghdadi Mahmudi Dr Baghdadi Ali Mahmudi (born 1945?) was appointed prime minister of Libya in March 2006, in succession to Shukri Ghanem. ... The General Peoples Congress (Mutammar al-shaab al âmm) consists out of circa 2700 representatives of the Basis Peoples Congresses. ... There are 25 municicipalities of Libya. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... A countrys foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how that particular country will interact with other countries of the world and, to a lesser extent, non-state actors. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi1 (Arabic:   ) (born c. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The 21st century is the present century of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

The Libyan Kingdom

As a kingdom, Libya maintained a definitively pro-Western stance, yet was recognized as belonging to the conservative traditionalist bloc in the League of Arab States, of which it became a member in 1953.^[1] Headquarters Cairo, Egypt1 Largest cities Alexandria, Baghdad, Cairo, Casablanca, Damascus, Khartoum Official languages Arabic Membership 22 Arab states 2 observer states Leaders  -  Secretary General Amr Moussa (since 2001)  -  Council of the Arab League Sudan  -  Speaker of the Arab Parliament Nabih Berri Establishment  -  Alexandria Protocol March 22, 1945  Area  -  Total 13... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The government was in close alliance with the United States and United Kingdom; both countries maintained military base rights in Libya. The U.S. supported the United Nations resolution providing for Libyan independence in 1951 and raised the status of its office at Tripoli from a consulate general to a legation. Libya opened a legation in Washington, D.C., in 1954. Both countries subsequently raised their missions to embassy level. Libya also forged close ties with France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, and established full diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1955. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... A United Nations resolution (or UN resolution) is a formal text adopted by a United Nations (UN) body. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس Tarābulus) is the capital city of Libya. ... A consulate (or consular office) is a form of diplomatic mission in charge of matters related to individual people and businesses, in other words issues outside inter-governmental diplomacy. ... A legation was the term used in diplomacy to denote a diplomatic representative office lower than an embassy. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Although the government supported Arab causes, including the Moroccan and Algerian independence movements, it took little active part in the Arab-Israeli conflict or the tumultuous inter-Arab politics of the 1950s and early 1960s. The kingdom was noted for its close association with the West, while it steered an essentially conservative course at home.^[2] Combatants Arab nations Israel Arab-Israeli conflict series History of the Arab-Israeli conflict Views of the Arab-Israeli conflict International law and the Arab-Israeli conflict Arab-Israeli conflict facts, figures, and statistics Participants Israeli-Palestinian conflict · Israel-Lebanon conflict · Arab League · Soviet Union / Russia · Israel and the United... This does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ...

The Gaddafi Era

Since 1969, Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi has determined Libya's foreign policy. His principal foreign policy goals have been Arab unity, elimination of Israel, advancement of Islam, support for Palestinians, elimination of outside -- particularly Western -- influence in the Middle East and Africa, and support for a range of "revolutionary" causes. For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi1 (Arabic:   ) (born c. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ... Palestinians are people with family origins mainly in Palestine. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

After the 1969 coup, U.S.-Libyan relations became increasingly strained because of Libya's foreign policies supporting international terrorism and subversion against moderate Arab and African governments. Gaddafi closed American and British bases on Libyan territory and partially nationalized all foreign oil and commercial interests in Libya. // A coup dÉtat (pronounced ), or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, often through illegal means by a part of the state establishment — mostly replacing just the high-level figures. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... Nationalization or nationalisation is the act of transferring assets into public ownership. ...

1970s

Export controls on military equipment and civil aircraft were imposed during the 1970s. Civil airliner - Air India Boeing 747-400 Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-Military aviation, both private and commercial. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ...

In 1972, the United States withdrew its ambassador. Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of ambassadors from the United States. ...

Gaddafi played a key role in promoting the use of oil embargoes as a political weapon for challenging the West, hoping that an oil price rise and embargo in 1973 would persuade the West--especially the United States--to end support for Israel. Gaddafi rejected both Soviet communism and Western capitalism and claimed he was charting a middle course for his government.^[3] For delayed access after publication, see Embargo (academic publishing). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production. ... It has been suggested that Definitions of capitalism be merged into this article or section. ...

In October 1978, Gaddafi sent Libyan troops to aid Idi Amin in the Uganda-Tanzania War when Amin tried to annex the northern Tanzanian province of Kagera, and Tanzania counterattacked. Amin lost the battle and later fled to exile in Libya, where he remained for almost a year.^[4] Look up October in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Idi Amin Dada (c. ... Combatants Uganda Libya Tanzania Peoples Defence Force & Uganda National Liberation Army Commanders Idi Amin Tanzanian army: Julius Nyerere UNLF: Tito Okello, Yoweri Museveni, David Oyite-Ojok Strength 3,000 Libyans, unknown number of Ugandan Army troops 100,000 Tanzanians, unknown number of Ugandan resistance troops, unknown number of Rwandan... Map of the Kagera Region Kagera Region is located in the northwestern corner of Tanzania. ...

Libya also was one of the main supporters of the Polisario Front in the former Spanish Sahara^[5] - a nationalist group dedicated to ending Spanish colonialism in the region. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was proclaimed by Polisario on February 28, 1976, and Libya began to recognize the SADR as the legitimate government of Western Sahara starting April 15, 1980. It is still common for Sahrawi students to attend their schooling in Libya.^[6] The Polisario, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro) is a Sahrawi movement working for the independence of... Spanish Sahara was the name used for the modern territory of Western Sahara when it was ruled by Spain, created from the Spanish territories of Rio de Oro and La Aguera in 1924. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Military flag of the Spanish Empire from the 16th century up to 1843. ... Motto: حرية ديمقراطية وحدة (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: Yābaniy Es-Saharā  listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... The Polisario, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro (Peoples Liberation Front of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro) is an army and political movement in the Western Sahara, comprising... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Western Sahara is the former Spanish colony of Spanish Sahara claimed and mostly administered by the Kingdom of Morocco since Spain handed over the territory to Morocco and Mauritania after the Madrid Accords in 1975-76, but sovereignty is unresolved and the United Nations (UN) is attempting to hold a... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

U.S. embassy staff members were withdrawn from Tripoli after a mob attacked and set fire to the embassy in December 1979. The U.S. government declared Libya a "state sponsor of terrorism" on December 29, 1979. - Seal on the building of German Embassies. ... Look up December in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... This article describes the government of the United States. ... State-sponsored terrorism (SST) is a political term used to refer to finance/bounties, equipment and intelligence material given across international boundaries to terrorist organizations and the families of deceased militants for the purpose of conducting or rewarding attacks on civilians. ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

1980s

In May 1981, the U.S. government closed the Libyan "people's bureau" (embassy) in Washington, D.C. and expelled the Libyan staff in response their conduct generally violating internationally accepted standards of diplomatic behavior. May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In August 1981, in the first incident of the Gulf of Sidra, two Libyan jets fired on U.S. aircraft participating in a routine naval exercise over international waters of the Mediterranean Sea claimed by Libya. The U.S. planes returned fire and shot down the attacking Libyan aircraft. On December 11, 1981, the State Department invalidated U.S. passports for travel to Libya (a de facto travel ban) and, for purposes of safety, advised all U.S. citizens in Libya to leave. In March 1982, the U.S. government prohibited imports of Libyan crude oil into the United States and expanded the controls on U.S.-origin goods intended for export to Libya. Licenses were required for all transactions, except food and medicine. In March 1984, U.S. export controls were expanded to prohibit future exports to the Ras al-Enf petrochemical complex. In April 1985, all Export-Import Bank financing was prohibited. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The first Gulf of Sidra incident, August 19, 1981, was an incident in which two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter fighter jets engaged two US F-14 Tomcats off of the Libyan coast. ... Gulf of Sidra is a body of water in the Mediterranean Sea on the northern coast of Libya; it is also known as Gulf of Sirte. ... The terms international waters or transboundary waters apply where any of the following types of bodies of water (or their drainage basins) transcend international boundaries: oceans, large marine ecosystems, enclosed or semi-enclosed regional seas and estuaries, rivers, lakes, groundwater systems (aquifers), and wetlands [1]. Oceans and seas, waters outside... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ... December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ... For other types of travel document, see Travel document. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... -1... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank, Exim Bank or Eximbank) is the official export credit agency of the United States Government. ...

The United States adopted additional economic sanctions against Libya in January 1986, including a total ban on direct import and export trade, commercial contracts, and travel-related activities. In addition, Libyan government assets in the United States were frozen. Economic sanctions are economic penalties applied by one country (or group of countries) on another for a variety of reasons. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Libyan complicity was discovered in the 1986 Berlin discotheque terrorist bombing that killed two American servicemen. The United States responded by launching an aerial bombing attack against targets near Tripoli and Benghazi in April of that year.^[7] 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Boroughs of West Berlin West Berlin was the name given to the western part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. ... The Berlin discotheque bombing of April 5, 1986 was a terrorist attack on the West Berlin La Belle discotheque that was frequented by U.S. soldiers. ... Combatants United States Libya Commanders Ronald Reagan Muammar al-Gaddafi Casualties 1 F-111 2 aircrew KIA Unknown 15 Libyan civilians The United States bombing of Libya (code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon) comprised the joint United States Air Force and Navy air-strikes against Libya on April 15, 1986. ... Colourful buildings in the city centre. ...

In 1988, Libya was found to be in the process of constructing a chemical weapons plant at Rabta, a plant which is now the largest such facility in the Third World. As of January 2002, Libya was constructing another chemical weapons production facility at Tarhunah. Citing Libya's support for terrorism and its past regional aggressions the United States voiced concern over this development. In cooperation with like-minded countries, the United States has since sought to bring a halt to the foreign technical assistance deemed essential to the completion of this facility. 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dressing the wounded during a gas attack by Austin O. Spare, 1918. ... For the Jamaican reggae band, see Third World (band). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Categories: Stub ...

Libya's relationship with the former Soviet Union involved massive Libyan arms purchases from the Soviet bloc and the presence of thousands of east bloc advisers. Libya's use--and heavy loss--of Soviet-supplied weaponry in its war with Chad was a notable breach of an apparent Soviet-Libyan understanding not to use the weapons for activities inconsistent with Soviet objectives. As a result, Soviet-Libyan relations reached a nadir in mid-1987. A map of the Eastern Bloc. ... The Aozou Strip (alternatively, Aouzou Strip) is a portion of northern Libya, extending south to a depth of about 100 kilometers into Chads Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti prefecture. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In January 1989, there was another encounter over the Gulf of Sidra between U.S. and Libyan aircraft which resulted in the downing of two Libyan jets. 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gulf of Sidra incident (1989) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Lockerbie disaster

In 1991 two Libyan intelligence agents were charged with the bombing in December 1988 of Pan American Flight 103. Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi and Lamin Khalifah Fhimah were tried by prosecutors in the U.S. and Scotland. Six other Libyans were put on trial in their absence by a Paris court for the 1989 bombing of Union Air Transport Flight 772. They were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.^[8] Lockerbie Town Hall, 2006. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ... Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from Londons Heathrow International Airport to New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. ... Look up December in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal international airline of the United States from the 1930s until its collapse in 1991. ... Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from Londons Heathrow International Airport to New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. ... Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi (Arabic: عبد الباسط محمد علي المقرحي) (born April 1, 1952) is a former Libyan intelligence officer, head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines, and director of the Center for Strategic Studies in Tripoli. ... Fhimah celebrates his acquittal with Colonel Gadaffi Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah (born April 4, 1956) is a former station manager for Libyan Arab Airlines in Luqa airport, Malta. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic)1 Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) Paris Eiffel tower as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Union des Transports Aeriens (UTA) (United Transit Airlines in the English language) was a French international airline. ... Union des Transports Aériens Flight 772 was a flight of a French airline which was scheduled to fly from the former Congo-Brazzaville, to NDjamena in Chad, and then to Charles De Gaulle International Airport near Paris. ... Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime, nominally for the entire remaining life of the prisoner, but in fact for a period which varies between jurisdictions: many countries have a maximum possible period of time (usually seven years) a prisoner may be incarcerated, or require the...

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution asking Libya to surrender the suspects, cooperate with the Pan Am 103 and UTA 772 investigations, pay compensation to the victims' families, and cease all support for terrorism. Libya's refusal to comply led to the approval of Resolution 748 on March 31, 1992, which imposed sanctions designed to bring about Libyan compliance. The U.N. imposed further sanctions with Resolution 883, a limited assets freeze and an embargo on selected oil equipment, in November 1993.^[9] The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... “UNSC” redirects here. ... A United Nations Security Council Resolution is voted on by the fifteen members of the United Nations Security Council, the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

The Libyan government refused to comply until 1999, when it surrendered two Libyans suspected of involvement in the Pan Am 103 bombing for trial, leading to the suspension of U.N. sanctions. On January 31, 2001, a Scottish court seated in the Netherlands found one of the suspects, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, guilty of murder in connection with the bombing, and acquitted the second suspect, Lamin Khalifah Fhimah. Megrahi has appealed his conviction; the appeal began on January 23, 2002. Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic)1 Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II... January 23 is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

Full lifting of U.N. sanctions is contingent on Libyan compliance with its remaining Security Council requirements on Pan Am 103, including acceptance of responsibility for the actions of its officials and payment of appropriate compensation. The United States has continued to call on Libya to comply with its remaining requirements, including acceptance of responsibility for the actions of its officials and payment of appropriate compensation.

1990s

There have been no credible reports of Libyan involvement in terrorism since 1994, and Libya has taken significant steps to mend its international image. Terrorist redirects here. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...

In 1996, the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) was enacted, seeking to penalize non-U.S. companies which invest more than $40 million in Libya's oil and gasoline sector in any one year. ILSA was renewed in 2001, and the investment cap lowered to $20 million. 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory,[1] the British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ...

After the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union, Libya concentrated on expanding diplomatic ties with Third World countries and increasing its commercial links with Europe and East Asia. Following the imposition of U.N. sanctions in 1992, these ties significantly diminished. Following a 1998 Arab League meeting in which fellow Arab states decided not to challenge U.N. sanctions, Gaddafi announced that he was turning his back on pan-Arab ideas, one of the fundamental tenets of his philosophy. Unofficial Seal of the Warsaw Pact Distinguish from the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ... For the Jamaican reggae band, see Third World (band). ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Instead, Libya pursued closer bilateral ties, particularly with Egypt and Northwest African nations Tunisia and Morocco. It also has sought to develop its relations with Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to Libyan involvement in several internal African disputes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Libya also has sought to expand its influence in Africa through financial assistance, ranging from aid donations to impoverished neighbors such as Niger to oil subsidies to Zimbabwe. Gaddafi has proposed a borderless "United States of Africa" to transform the continent into a single nation-state ruled by a single government. This plan has been moderately well received, although more powerful would-be participants such as Nigeria and South Africa are skeptical. A map showing Northwest Africa Northwest Africa is the northwestern part of Africa. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... The United States of Africa is a name sometimes given to one version of the possible future unification of Africa as a national and sovereign federation of states similar in formation to the United States of America, mirroring the idea of the United States of Europe. ...

Libya paid compensation in 1999 for the death of British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher, a move that preceded the reopening of the British embassy in Tripoli and paid damages to the families of the victims in the bombing of UTA Flight 772. WPC Yvonne Fletcher Woman Police Constable (WPC) Yvonne Joyce Fletcher (1959–17 April 1984) was a British police officer who was shot and killed in Londons St Jamess Square during a protest outside the Libyan embassy. ...

Détente

In 2003 Libya began to make policy changes with the open intention of pursuing a Western-Libyan détente. The Libyan government announced its decision to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs and pay almost $3 billion dollars in compensation to the families of Pan Am Flight 103 and UTA Flight 772.^[10] 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Détente is a French term, meaning a relaxing or easing; the term has been used in international politics since the early 1970s. ... For the album, see Weapons of Mass Destruction (album). ...

Since 2003 the country has restored normal diplomatic ties with the European Union and the United States and has even coined the catchphrase, 'The Libya Model', an example intended to show the world what can be achieved through negotiation rather than force when there is goodwill on both sides.^[11]

In early 2004, the U.S. State Department ended its ban on U.S. citizens using their passports for travel to Libya or spending money there. U.S. citizens began legally heading back to Libya (some U.S. travellers went to Libya illegally through third countries during the travel ban) for the first time since 1981.

On May 15, 2006, David Welch, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, announced that the U.S. had decided to, after a 45-day comment period, renew full diplomatic relations with Libya and remove Libya from the U.S. list of countries that foster terrorism.^[12] During this announcement, it was also said that the U.S. has the intention of upgrading the U.S. liaison office in Tripoli into an embassy. ^[13] The U.S. embassy in Tripoli opened in May. This has been product of a gradual normalization of international relations since Libya accepted responsibility for the Pan Am 103 bombing. Libya's dismantling of its weapons of mass destruction was a major step towards this announcement, and it is seen as an incentive for Iran to do likewise. Relations with Bulgaria has been troublesome after a group of Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor were accused of infecting Libyan children with HIV when they worked at a Libyan hospital; the nurses were sentenced to death in a Libyan court. May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... David Welch is the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and served from 2001 to 2005 as the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt. ... Assistant Secretary C. David Welch The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs within the American Department of State, who guides operation of the U.S. diplomatic establishment in various countries of North Africa and the Middle East and... The HIV trial in the country of Libya concerns the trials and appeals of six foreign medical workers charged with conspiring to deliberately inject 426 children with HIV in 1998, causing an epidemic at El-Fath Childrens Hospital in Benghazi. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ...

Conflict with Chad

Main article: Chadian-Libyan conflict

Aouzou strip (blue)

Libya long claimed the Aouzou Strip, a strip of land in northern Chad rich with uranium deposits that was intensely involved in Chad's civil war in the 1970s and 1980s. Combatants Libya Chad France Commanders Muammar al-Qadhafi Hissein Habré Casualties Thousands Unknown The Chadian-Libyan conflict began in 1980 when Libya invaded Chad. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (500x743, 20 KB) Summary Map of Aouzou strip in Chad, which was invaded by Libya, I made the image Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: History of Chad Chad History of Libya Aozou Strip ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (500x743, 20 KB) Summary Map of Aouzou strip in Chad, which was invaded by Libya, I made the image Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: History of Chad Chad History of Libya Aozou Strip ... The Aozou Strip (alternatively, Aouzou Strip) is a portion of northern Libya, extending south to a depth of about 100 kilometers into Chads Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti prefecture. ... General Name, Symbol, Number uranium, U, 92 Chemical series actinides Group, Period, Block n/a, 7, f Appearance silvery gray metallic; corrodes to a spalling black oxide coat in air Standard atomic weight 238. ... Combatants Libya Chad France Commanders Muammar al-Qadhafi Hissein Habré Casualties Thousands Unknown The Chadian-Libyan conflict began in 1980 when Libya invaded Chad. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... This article cites very few or no references or sources. ...

In 1973, Libya engaged in military operations in the Aouzou Strip to gain access to minerals and to use it as a base of influence in Chadian politics. Libya argued that the territory was inhabited by indigenous people who owed allegiance to the Senoussi Order and subsequently to the Ottoman Empire, and that this title had been inherited by Libya. It also supported its claim with an unratified 1935 treaty between France and Italy, the colonial powers of Chad and Libya, respectively. After consolidating its hold on the strip, Libya annexed it in 1976. 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Senussi. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–65) Edirne (1365–1453) Constantinople (İstanbul, 1453–1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish (official); spoken languages include Abkhazian, Adyghe, Albanian, Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, Azerbaijani... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... It has been suggested that Benign colonialism be merged into this article or section. ... Ceremonies during the annexation of Hawaii. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

Chadian forces were able to force the Libyans to retreat from the Aouzou Strip in 1987. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A cease-fire between Chad and Libya held from 1987 to 1988, followed by unsuccessful negotiations over the next several years, leading finally to the 1994 International Court of Justice decision granting Chad sovereignty over the Aouzou Strip, which ended Libyan occupation. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The International Court of Justice (known colloquially as the World Court or ICJ; French: ) is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. ... Belligerent military occupation occurs when one nations military occupies all or part of the territory of another nation or recognized belligerent. ...

Border disputes

Libya claims about 19,400 km² in northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria. In addition, it is involved in a maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia.^{[citation needed]}

International incidents

Benghazi hospital affair

Main article: HIV trial in Libya

In the late 1990s a Benghazi children's hospital was the site of an outbreak of HIV infection that spread to over 400 patients. Libya blamed the outbreak on five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, who were arrested and eventually sentenced to death (eventually overturned and a new trial ordered). The international view is that Libya has used the medics as scapegoats for poor hygiene conditions, and Bulgaria and other countries including the European Union and the United States have repeatedly called on Tripoli to release them. The case remains unresolved, and is the source of increasing tensions with Bulgaria, as well as an obstacle to continuing the process of improved relations with the West - a new trial began May 11, 2006 in Tripoli. On December 6, a study was released showing that some children had been infected before the six arrived in Libya, but it was too late for inclusion as evidence (in any event, the Libyan court had already rejected non-Libyan scientific studies). On December 19, 2006 the six were again convicted and sentenced to death. Their final appeal will be before the Libyan Supreme Court and possibly the High Judicial Council. The HIV trial in the country of Libya concerns the trials and appeals of six foreign medical workers charged with conspiring to deliberately inject 426 children with HIV in 1998, causing an epidemic at El-Fath Childrens Hospital in Benghazi. ... Colourful buildings in the city centre. ... Childrens hospital is a hospital which offers its services exclusively to children. ... Virus outbreaks occur when a virus bypasses infection control measures and a relatively high number of infections are observed where no cases or sporadic cases occurred in the past. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... The Scapegoat by William Holman Hunt, 1854. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (132nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 6 is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 19 is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

La Belle disco bombing

On November 13, 2001, a German court found four persons, including a former employee of the Libyan embassy in East Berlin, guilty in connection with the 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing (see above), in which 229 people were injured and two U.S. servicemen were killed. The court also established a connection to the Libyan government. The German government has demanded that Libya accept responsibility for the La Belle bombing and pay appropriate compensation. November 13 is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 48 days remaining. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Berlin discotheque bombing of April 5, 1986 was a terrorist attack on the West Berlin La Belle discotheque that was frequented by U.S. soldiers. ... Politics of Germany takes place in a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Federal Chancellor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

Support for rebel and paramilitary groups

The government of Libya has also received enormous criticism and trade restrictions for allegedly providing numerous armed rebel groups with weapons, explosives and combat training. The ideologies of some of these organizations have varied greatly, even confusing outsiders at times. However most seem to be nationalist, with some having a socialist ideology; while others hold a more conservative and Islamic fundamentalist ideology. This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community. ... This article deals with conservatism as a political philosophy. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ... Islamic fundamentalism is a religious ideology which advocates literalistic interpretations of the sacred texts of Islam, Sharia law, and an Islamic State. ...

Paramilitaries supported by Libya past and present include:

• The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) (describing themselves in Irish as Óglaigh na hÉireann) of Northern Ireland, a group that fought a 29-year war for a United Ireland. See Provisional IRA arms importation for details. Note that many of the break away Irish Republican groups which oppose the Good Friday Agreement (the Continuity Irish Republican Army and the Real Irish Republican Army) are believed to be in possession of a significant amount of the Libyan ammunition and semtex explosives delivered to the IRA during the 1970s and 1980s.
• The Palestine Liberation Organization of the Israeli occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip received of support from Libya, as well as many other Arab states.
• The Moro National Liberation Front was a rightwing Islamic fundamentalist rebel army which fought in the Philippines against the military dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos
• Umkhonto we Sizwe - Xhosa, for the "spear of the nation" was originally the military wing of the African National Congress (a multi racial, center-left political party) which fought against the white minority led Apartheid regime in South Africa. During the years of MK's underground struggle the group was supported by Libya.
• ETA - Basque Fatherland and Liberty, a leftwing nationalist paramilitary fighting for the independence of the Basques from Spain with ties to the Provisional Irish Republican Army also received training support from Libya in the 1960s and mid-'70s .
• Libya was also was one the main supporters of the Polisario Front in the former Spanish Sahara^[14] - a nationalist group dedicated to ending Spanish colonialism in the region, and from 1975, to combatting the Moroccan occupation of what is now known as Western Sahara. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was proclaimed by Polisario on February 28, 1976, and Libya began to recognize the SADR as the legitimate government of Western Sahara starting April 15, 1980. While monetary and military Libyan support for the Sahrawi cause dwindled in the mid-1980s, after a rapprochement with Morocco, the enemy of Polisario, some Sahrawi refugee students are still able to apply for higher education in Libya.^[15]

Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish name: Óglaigh na hÉireann) (PIRA; more commonly referred to as the IRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA) is an Irish Republican left-wing paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern Ireland... The only true Óglaigh na hÉireann is the Irish Republican Army, which is under the direction of the Continuity Army Council. ... Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Propaganda poster of the Provisional IRA. From 1969 until 1997, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (Provisional IRA) conducted an armed campaign (or guerrilla war) in the United Kingdom aimed at overthrowing British rule in Northern Ireland to create a united Ireland. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Provisional Irish Republican Army imported large quantities of weapons and ammunition into Ireland for use in Northern Ireland since the early 1970s. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (Pronounced fee-na fall.) (English: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... The Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement and, more rarely, as the Stormont Agreement) was signed in Belfast on April 10, 1998 by the British and Irish Governments and endorsed by most Northern Ireland political parties. ... The Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) is an Irish Republican paramilitary organisation (which supporters regard as the National Army of the 32-County Irish Republic) that split from the Provisional IRA in 1986. ... The Real Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as the Real IRA (RIRA), is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation founded before the signing of the 1998 Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement by former members of the Provisional IRA who opposed the latters 1997 cease-fire and acquiescence in the Agreement in... Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... This article cites very few or no references or sources. ... The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) (Arabic: ;   or Munazzamat al-Tahrir al-Filastiniyyah) is a political and paramilitary organization regarded by the Arab League since October 1974 as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. ... The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is an active Islamic movement in the Southern Philippines. ... In politics, right-wing, the political right, or simply the right, are terms which refer, with no particular precision, to the segment of the political spectrum in opposition to left-wing politics. ... Islamic fundamentalism is a religious ideology which advocates literalistic interpretations of the sacred texts of Islam, Sharia law, and an Islamic State. ... Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralín Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was the tenth president and dictator of the Philippines, from 1965 to 1986. ... For other uses of Umkhonto, see Umkhonto (disambiguation) Umkhonto we Sizwe (or MK), translated Spear of the Nation, was the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC). ... The Xhosa (IPA ) people are peoples of Bantu origins living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two centuries throughout the southern and central-southern parts of the country. ... For political parties with similar names in other countries, see Northern Rhodesian African National Congress and Zambian African National Congress. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... ETA symbol or ETA (Basque for Basque Homeland and Freedom; IPA pronunciation: [) is a paramilitary Basque nationalist organization. ... For other meanings of ETA, see Eta. ... This article is about the Basque people. ... Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish name: Óglaigh na hÉireann) (PIRA; more commonly referred to as the IRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA) is an Irish Republican left-wing paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern Ireland... The Polisario, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro) is a Sahrawi movement working for the independence of... Spanish Sahara was the name used for the modern territory of Western Sahara when it was ruled by Spain, created from the Spanish territories of Rio de Oro and La Aguera in 1924. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Military flag of the Spanish Empire from the 16th century up to 1843. ... Look up Occupation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Motto: حرية ديمقراطية وحدة (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: Yābaniy Es-Saharā  listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... // Western Sahara area has never formed a state in the modern sense of the word. ... Western Sahara is the former Spanish colony of Spanish Sahara claimed and mostly administered by the Kingdom of Morocco since Spain handed over the territory to Morocco and Mauritania after the Madrid Accords in 1975-76, but sovereignty is unresolved and the United Nations (UN) is attempting to hold a... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

Notes

1. ^ Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, (1987), "Independent Libya", U.S. Library of Congress, Accessed July 14 2006
2. ^ Abadi, Jacob (2000), "Pragmatism and Rhetoric in Libya's Policy Toward Israel", The Journal of Conflict Studies: Volume XX Number 1 Fall 2000, University of New Brunswick, Accessed July 19 2006
3. ^ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, (2001 - 2005), "Qaddafi, Muammar al-", Bartleby Books, Accessed July 19 2006
4. ^ Biography, "Idi Amin", Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Accessed July 19, 2006
5. ^ Michael Bhatia (06-15-20001). Western Sahara under Polisario Control: Summary Report of Field Mission to the Sahrawi Refugee Camps (near Tindouf, Algeria). Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE Publications Ltd.). Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
6. ^ Marina de Russe (03-17-2005). Frustration stalks Saharan refugee camps. IOL, South African news agency. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
7. ^ Boyne, Walter J., (March, 1999), "El Dorado Canyon", Air Force Association Journal, Vol. 82, No. 3, Accessed July 19, 2006. See also Bernd Schaefer and Christian Nuenlist (eds.), "The US Air Raid on Libya on April 1986: A Confidential Soviet Account", Parallel History Project (PHP), November 2001, Accessed August 2006
8. ^ (2003),"UTA 772: The forgotten flight", BBC News.
9. ^ (2003), "Libya", Global Policy Forum, Accessed July 19 2006
10. ^ Marcus, Jonathan, (May 15, 2006), "Washington's Libyan fairy tale", BBC News, Accessed July 15 2006
11. ^ Hirsh, Michael, (May 11, 2006), "The Real Libya Model", Newsweek, Accessed July 15 2006
12. ^ Welsh, David, (May 15, 2006), "Issues Related to United States Relations With Libya", U.S. Department of State, Accessed August 10 2006
13. ^ (May 15, 2006), "US to renew full ties with Libya", BBC News, Accessed August 10 2006
14. ^ Michael Bhatia (06-15-20001). Western Sahara under Polisario Control: Summary Report of Field Mission to the Sahrawi Refugee Camps (near Tindouf, Algeria). Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE Publications Ltd.). Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
15. ^ Marina de Russe (03-17-2005). Frustration stalks Saharan refugee camps. IOL, South African news agency. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.

July 19 is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... July 19 is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Parallel History Project on NATO and the Warsaw Pact (PHP) is a website reference compilation and analysis nexus sparked by the progressive increase in the declassification of NATO and Soviet bloc documents related to Cold War activities, as viewed by both sides. ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (132nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ...

See also

• Iran-Arab Relations (Libya)

Iranian-Arab relations have always been very mixed. ...

External links

• United States Embassy in Tripoli