Editing History of Libya (section)

==2011 uprising and the First Civil War==
{{Main|Libyan civil war (2011)|Anti-Gaddafi forces|National Transitional Council}}
[[File:Demonstration in Bayda (Libya, 2011-07-22).jpg|thumb|Demonstrations in [[Bayda, Libya|Bayda]], on 22 July 2011]]
After popular movements overturned the rulers of [[Tunisia]] and [[Egypt]], its immediate neighbors to the west and east, Libya experienced a full-scale revolt beginning on [[Revolution Day|17 February 2011]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya |title=Live Blog – Libya |work=Al Jazeera |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223072304/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya |archive-date=23 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 20 February, the unrest had spread to Tripoli. In the early hours of 21 February 2011, [[Saif al-Islam Gaddafi]], oldest son of Muammar Gaddafi, spoke on Libyan television of his fears that the country would fragment and be replaced by "15 Islamic fundamentalist emirates" if the uprising engulfed the entire state. He admitted that "mistakes had been made" in quelling recent protests and announced plans for a constitutional convention, but warned that the country's economic wealth and recent prosperity was at risk and warned of "rivers of blood" if the protests continued.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339443/Libya-Saif-al-Islam-Gaddafis-defiant-speech.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Libya: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's defiant speech|date=21 February 2011|access-date=24 October 2011|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224040626/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339443/Libya-Saif-al-Islam-Gaddafis-defiant-speech.html|archive-date=24 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/02/21/138515.html|work=Al Arabiya|date=21 February 2011|access-date=24 October 2011|title=Gaddafi's son warns of "rivers of blood" in Libya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102194514/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/02/21/138515.html|archive-date=2 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 February 2011, the [[National Transitional Council]] was established under the stewardship of [[Mustafa Abdul Jalil]], Gaddafi's former justice minister, to administer the areas of Libya under rebel control. This marked the first serious effort to organize the broad-based opposition to the Gaddafi regime. While the council was based in Benghazi, it claimed Tripoli as its capital.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lse.co.uk/FinanceNews.asp?ArticleCode=77c8l0riig2uluz&ArticleHeadline=Ex_Libyan_minister_forms_interim_govtreport |title=Ex Libyan minister forms interim govt-report |work=LSE |date=26 February 2011 |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513045506/http://www.lse.co.uk/FinanceNews.asp?ArticleCode=77c8l0riig2uluz&ArticleHeadline=Ex_Libyan_minister_forms_interim_govtreport |archive-date=13 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hafiz Ghoga]], a human rights lawyer, later assumed the role of spokesman for the council.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2019-08-27|title=Libya opposition launches council|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011227175955221853.html|website=[[Aljazeera.com|Al Jazeera]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827052355/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011227175955221853.html|archive-date=27 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 March 2011, France became the first state to officially recognise the council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://ntclibya.com/InnerPage.aspx?SSID=6&ParentID=3&LangID=1 | title =The Council"International Recognition | publisher =National Transitional Council (Libya) | date =1 March 2011 | access-date =23 October 2011 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110926043358/http://www.ntclibya.com/InnerPage.aspx?SSID=6&ParentID=3&LangID=1 | archive-date =26 September 2011 | url-status =dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12699183 |title=Libya: France recognises rebels as government |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2011 |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023041256/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12699183 |archive-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By early March 2011, some parts of Libya had tipped out of Gaddafi's control, coming under the control of a coalition of opposition forces, including soldiers who decided to support the rebels. Eastern Libya, centered on the port city of [[Benghazi]], was said to be firmly in the hands of the opposition, while Tripoli and its environs remained in dispute.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011228143136646521.html |work=Al Jazeera |date=28 February 2011 |title=Protesters march in Tripoli |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105084402/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011228143136646521.html |archive-date=5 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12699183 | work=BBC News | title=Libya: France recognises rebels as government | date=10 March 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023041256/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12699183 | archive-date=23 October 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2011/mar/10/libya-uprising-gaddafi-live#block-15 The Guardian Live Blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822222539/https://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2011/mar/10/libya-uprising-gaddafi-live#block-15 |date=22 August 2017 }}. Retrieved 10 March 2011</ref> Pro-Gaddafi forces were able to respond militarily to rebel pushes in Western Libya and launched a counterattack along the coast toward Benghazi, the ''de facto'' centre of the uprising.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/world/africa/10libya.html |title=Qaddafi Forces Batter Rebels in Strategic Refinery Town |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=9 March 2011 |first1=Kareem |last1=Fahim |first2=David D. |last2=Kirkpatrick |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506221756/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/world/africa/10libya.html |archive-date=6 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The town of [[Zawiya, Libya|Zawiya]], {{convert|48|km}} from Tripoli, was bombarded by [[Libyan Air Force|Air Force]] planes and [[Libyan Army (1951–2011)|Army]] tanks and seized by [[Armed Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Jamahiriya troops]], "exercising a level of brutality not yet seen in the conflict".<ref>''The Independent'', 9 March 2011 P.4</ref>

In several public appearances, Gaddafi threatened to destroy the protest movement, and [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] and other agencies reported his government was arming pro-Gaddafi militiamen to kill protesters and defectors against the regime in Tripoli.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011225165641323716.html |work=Al Jazeera |title=Gaddafi vows to crush protesters |date=25 February 2011 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202060551/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/2011225165641323716.html |archive-date=2 December 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Organs of the United Nations, including [[United Nations Secretary General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ban-Ki-moon-blasts-Gaddafi-calls-situation-dangerous/Article1-666108.aspx |title=Ban Ki-moon blasts Gaddafi; calls situation dangerous |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=24 February 2011 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227021434/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ban-Ki-moon-blasts-Gaddafi-calls-situation-dangerous/Article1-666108.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], condemned the crackdown as violating international law, with the latter body expelling Libya outright in an unprecedented action urged by Libya's own delegation to the UN.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-libya-20110226,0,6927383.story |title=Some backbone at the U.N. |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=26 February 2011 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303053657/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-libya-20110226,0,6927383.story |archive-date=3 March 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125800 |work=Sofia News Agency |title=Libya Expelled from UN Human Rights Council |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511093052/http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125800 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The United States imposed [[economic sanctions]] against Libya,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/02/20112261461685557.html |title=US slaps sanctions on Libyan govt |work=Al Jazeera |date=26 February 2011 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103144512/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/02/20112261461685557.html |archive-date=3 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> followed shortly by Australia,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-imposes-sanctions-on-libya-20110227-1b9k0.html |title=Australia imposes sanctions on Libya |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228143407/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-imposes-sanctions-on-libya-20110227-1b9k0.html |archive-date=28 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-imposes-additional-libyan-sanctions-1.1017281|title=Canada imposes additional Libyan sanctions|work=CBC News|date=27 February 2011|access-date=28 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301045737/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/02/27/harper-libya.html|archive-date=1 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[United Nations Security Council]], which also voted to refer Gaddafi and other government officials to the [[International Criminal Court]] for investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1622265.php/UN-Security-Council-orders-sanctions-against-Libya-1st-Lead |work=Monsters & Critics |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=27 February 2011 |title=UN Security Council orders sanctions against Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227023153/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1622265.php/UN-Security-Council-orders-sanctions-against-Libya-1st-Lead |archive-date=27 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna41785849 |title=U.N. Security Council slaps sanctions on Libya |date=26 February 2011 |work=NBC News |access-date=27 February 2011 }}</ref>

On 17 March 2011 the UN Security Council passed [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973|Resolution 1973]] with a 10–0 vote and five abstentions. The resolution sanctioned the establishment of a [[no-fly zone]] and the use of "all means necessary" to protect civilians within Libya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808|title=Security Council authorizes 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in Libya|publisher=United Nations News Service|date=17 March 2011|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503184921/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808|archive-date=3 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Shortly afterwards, Libyan Foreign Minister [[Moussa Koussa]] stated that "Libya has decided an immediate ceasefire and an immediate halt to all military operations".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12787739 | work=BBC News | title=Libya: Pro-Gaddafi forces 'to observe ceasefire' | date=18 March 2011 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423005728/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12787739 | archive-date=23 April 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 March, the first Allied act to secure the no-fly zone began when French military jets entered Libyan airspace on a [[reconnaissance]] mission heralding attacks on enemy targets.<ref name="libyrate1" /> Allied military action to enforce the ceasefire commenced the same day when a French aircraft opened fire and destroyed a vehicle on the ground. French jets also destroyed five tanks belonging to the Gaddafi regime.<ref name="libyrate1">{{cite news |author=Jonathan Marcus |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971 |title=French military jets open fire in Libya |work=BBC News |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=20 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320125209/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971 |archive-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The United States and United Kingdom launched attacks on over 20 "integrated air defense systems" using more than 110 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk cruise missiles]] during operations [[Operation Odyssey Dawn|Odyssey Dawn]] and [[Operation Ellamy|Ellamy]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title=Coalition launches Libya attacks|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12796972|access-date=20 March 2011|work=BBC|date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320053754/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12796972|archive-date=20 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 June 2011, the [[International Criminal Court]] issued an arrest warrant for Gaddafi, alleging that Gaddafi had been personally involved in planning and implementing "a policy of widespread and systematic attacks against civilians and demonstrators and dissidents".<ref>{{cite news|author=Ian Black and David Smith|location=Tripoli|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/27/muammar-gaddafi-arrest-warrant-hague|title=War crimes court issues Gaddafi arrest warrant|work=The Guardian|date=27 June 2011|access-date=20 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930114624/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/27/muammar-gaddafi-arrest-warrant-hague|archive-date=30 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Arrott libya tripoli gadhafi effigy 480 29aug2011.jpg|left|thumb|An effigy of Muammar Gaddafi hangs from a scaffold in [[Martyrs' Square, Tripoli|Tripoli's Martyrs' Square]], 29 August 2011]]
By 22 August 2011, [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|rebel fighters]] had entered Tripoli and occupied [[Martyrs' Square, Tripoli|Green Square]],<ref name="Richburg">{{cite news |last1=Erdbrink |first1=Thomas |last2=Sly |first2=Liz |title=In Libya, Moammar Gaddafi's rule crumbling as rebels enter heart of Tripoli |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-rebels-converging-on-tripoli/2011/08/21/gIQAbF3RUJ_story.html?noredirect=on |newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en}}</ref> which they renamed to its original name, Martyrs' Square in honour of those killed during the Italian occupation. Meanwhile, Gaddafi asserted that he was still in Libya and would not concede power to the rebels.<ref name="Richburg" />

On 16 September 2011, the U.N. General Assembly approved a request from the National Transitional Council to accredit envoys of the country's interim controlling body as Tripoli's sole representatives at the UN, effectively recognising the National Transitional Council as the legitimate holder of that country's UN seat.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.opencanada.org/features/recognizing-states-and-governments-a-tricky-business/ | title =Recognizing States and Governments–A Tricky Business | publisher =Canadian International Council | author =Jennifer Welsh | date =20 September 2011 | access-date =23 October 2011 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084716/http://www.opencanada.org/features/recognizing-states-and-governments-a-tricky-business/ | archive-date =27 September 2011 | url-status =live }}</ref>

The National Transitional Council had been plagued by internal divisions during its tenure as Libya's interim governing authority. It postponed the formation of a caretaker, or "interim" government on several occasions during the period prior to the [[death of Muammar Gaddafi]] in his hometown of [[Sirte]] on 20 October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/world/africa/libyan-fighters-say-qaddafi-stronghold-has-fallen.html|work=The New York Times|date=20 October 2011|title=Qaddafi Is Dead, Libyan Officials Say|first=Kareem|last=Fahim|access-date=20 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020145506/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/world/africa/libyan-fighters-say-qaddafi-stronghold-has-fallen.html|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/10/20111020111520869621.html|title=Muammar Gaddafi killed as Sirte falls|work=Al Jazeera|date=21 October 2011|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023031711/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/10/20111020111520869621.html|archive-date=23 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mustafa Abdul Jalil]] led the National Transitional Council and was generally considered to be the principal leadership figure. [[Mahmoud Jibril]] served as the NTC's ''de facto'' head of government from 5 March 2011 through the end of the war, but he announced he would resign after Libya was declared to have been "liberated" from Gaddafi's rule.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097333,00.html|title=In Tripoli, Libya's Interim Leader Says He Is Quitting|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |author=Vivienne Walt|date=19 October 2011|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022204525/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097333,00.html|archive-date=22 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The "[[Liberation Day|liberation]]" of Libya was celebrated on 23 October 2011, and Jibril announced that consultations were under way to form an [[interim government]] within one month, followed by elections for a constitutional assembly within eight months and parliamentary and presidential elections to be held within a year after that.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/libya-to-declare-liberation-from-42-year-gadhafi-rule-132403478/147085.html|title=Libya Declares Liberation From 42-Year Gadhafi Rule|work=Voice of America|year=2011|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025213725/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Libya-to-Declare-Liberation-from-42-Year-Gadhafi-Rule-132403478.html|archive-date=25 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> He stepped down as expected the same day and was succeeded by [[Ali Tarhouni]].<ref name="declib">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f459749a-fd86-11e0-a9db-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f459749a-fd86-11e0-a9db-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Libya declares liberation after Gaddafi's death|date=23 October 2011|access-date=23 October 2011|first=Borzou|last=Daragahi|work=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> At least 30,000 Libyans died in the civil war.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/9835879 |title=Libyan estimate: At least 30,000 died in the war |author=Karin Laub |agency=Associated Press |work=The Guardian |date=8 September 2011 |access-date=25 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104210601/http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/9835879 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>