Declaration of Independence
Libya gained independence on 24 December 1951. On this day the United Libyan Kingdom was created under the rule of King Idris. However, in 1969, King Idris was overthrown by Col Muammar Gaddafi in a coup. After the overthrow, Gaddafi established the Libyan Arab Republic. Under the rule of Gaddafi, only the 1969 coup date was permitted to be marked.
History
Libya, which was under Ottoman rule, became an Italian colony in 1911. The Italians gave up their control over the area in 1943 after they were defeated in World War 2. Libya then came under the UN administration and finally achieved independence in 1951. A monarchic government was established under King Idris. However, in 1969, Col Muammar Gaddafi took over the reins of the government after overthrowing King Idris. However, in late 2010, many countries in the Middle East and North Africa were experiencing unrest. By 2011 Libya too was in the grip of violent protests and unrest. Gaddafi�s tried to suppress the protestors which ultimately lead to a civil war. The protestors were aided by the international community. In mid 2011, the government of Gaddafi was overthrown and a transitional government took over. In 2012, the country formed a new parliament and elected a new Prime Minister.
Songs
The national anthem of Libya is:
Oh my country! With my struggle and my patience
Drive off enemies and mishaps,
And survive!
Survive all through; we are your ransom
Oh Libya!
Oh my country! You are the heritage of grandfathers,
May God cast off any hand that would harm you
Do survive! We are for ever your soldiers,
If you survive we care not who perishes.
To you we give solemn pledges
that we, Oh Libya, will never fail you.
We will never go back to fetters, we have been liberated, and we have freed our home country
Libya.
Our grandfathers carried their swords when struggle called on them
Carrying the holy Quran in a hand, and the swords in the other
They fought till they spread religion, peace and prosperity all over the world
Eternity for them
They have built our integrity
Libya
Salute Idris the descendant of conquerors
He is the figure of struggle and Jehad
He carried our flag high
And we followed him to free our land
He built the glory of his throne
And took Libya to the skies
A free flag
Over a prosperous country
Libya
Idris, the son of Libya, the son of lions
We are for glory
And glory is yours
Since we began our struggle, all people were with us
May god protect our independence
Seek the ultimate heights
And be ready for the struggle, our youth
Life is a war for the glory of our home land
Libya, Libya
Celebrations
With the end of the rule of Gaddafi, Libyans once again celebrated Independence Day on 24 December 2011. The day was a very significant one for the people of the country as Independence Day was being observed after a gap of 42 years. Grand celebrations were organized on the occasion and the skies were lit with amazing fireworks and magnificent lanterns. Since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, Independence Day is celebrated every year on 24 December 2011.
Facts
- President of the General National Congress: Nouri Abusahmain (2013)
- Prime Minister: Abdullah al-Thinni (interim; 2014)
- Total area: 679,358 sq mi
- Population (2014 est.): 6,244,174
- Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Tripoli
- Monetary unit: Libyan dinar
- Languages: Arabic, Italian, English; Berber (Ghadamis, Nafusi, Awjilah, Suknah, Tamasheq)
- Ethnicity/race: Arab, Berber, Indians, Maltese, Greeks, Egyptians, Italians, Turks, Pakistanis, Tunisians
- Religion: Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish
- Agriculture: barley, peanuts, wheat, dates, olives, vegetables, citrus, soybeans; cattle.
- Industries: iron and steel, petroleum, food processing, handicrafts, textiles, cement
- Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, gypsum
