VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > E. The Middle East and North Africa, 1945–2000 > 4. North Africa, 1945–2000 > d. Libya
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
(See 1942, Jan 8)
 
d. Libya
 
 
1947, March
 
Formation of the Libyan Liberation Committee in Cairo under the leadership of Bashir al-Sa`dawi. The organization proposed a union between Tripolitania and Cyrenaica under Sanusi rule.  1
 
1949, May 17
 
Defeat of the Bevin-Sforza Plan in the UN. The British-Italian scheme would have split Libya into three trusteeships: Cyrenaica for the British, Tripolitania for the Italians, and Fezzan for the French. The UN instead adopted a resolution calling for Libyan independence by 1952 (Nov. 21, 1949).  2
 
1950, Dec. 2
 
The Libyan National Assembly recognized IDRIS as king of Libya.  3
 
1952, Jan. 1
 
Official INDEPENDENCE OF LIBYA. The country emerged as a federal monarchy dominated by a clique of conservative notables. It essentially retained the administrative divisions (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan) inherited from the colonial period.  4
 
1953, Feb
 
Libya became a member of the Arab League.  5
 
1955, Nov
 
Granting of the first oil concessions. The first strike was at Bir Zelten in 1959. The oil industry was primarily developed during 1961–69 as foreign firms, especially independent companies, moved into the country to conduct intensive exploration.  6
 
1962, June
 
Libyan entry into OPEC.  7
 
1967, June 15
 
The government requested that the U.S. and Britain withdraw their remaining forces at the earliest possible date.  8
 
1969, Sept 1
 
MILITARY COUP against the monarchy. The plot was organized by a group of army officers directed by MU`AMMAR AL-QADHAFI. One of the first acts of the new regime was to abolish the monarchy. In its place emerged the Libyan Arab Republic. Effective authority was vested in a Revolutionary Command Council headed by Qadhafi, who officially became prime minister on Jan. 16, 1970.  9
 
1970, March 28
 
Completion of the British military withdrawal, as demanded by the Libyan government. The U.S. pulled out the last of its troops less than three months later (June 11).  10
 
July 21
 
Confiscation of all Italian and Jewish property.  11
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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