Editing Libya (section)

== Politics and elections ==
{{Main|Politics of Libya|Elections in Libya}}
[[File:Palazzo Reale di Tripoli.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Palace of Tripoli]]—headquarters of [[King Idris]]]]
[[File:Muammar al-Gaddafi 1-1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gaddafi]] was the leader of Libya until [[Libyan civil war (2011)|2011 Civil War]].]]
The politics of Libya has been in a tumultuous state since the start of the [[Arab Spring]] and the NATO intervention related [[Libyan Crisis (2011–present)|Libyan Crisis]] in 2011. The crisis resulted in the collapse of the [[Libyan Arab Jamahiriya]] and the [[killing of Muammar Gaddafi]], amidst the [[First Libyan Civil War]] and 2011 [[2011 military intervention in Libya|foreign military intervention]].<ref>{{cite web|date=10 February 2021|title=Libya mired in chaos 10 years after Arab Spring|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210210-libya-mired-in-chaos-10-years-after-arab-spring|access-date=14 February 2022|work=[[France 24]]|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210065147/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210210-libya-mired-in-chaos-10-years-after-arab-spring|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=19 October 2021|title=10 years since Kadhafi death, stability still eludes Libya|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211019-10-years-since-kadhafi-death-stability-still-eludes-libya|access-date=14 February 2022|work=[[France 24]]|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019034550/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211019-10-years-since-kadhafi-death-stability-still-eludes-libya|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=7 May 2021|title=Feature: Libyans struggling in poverty, chaos 10 years after NATO intervention|work=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/07/c_139928992.htm|access-date=14 February 2022|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012909/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/07/c_139928992.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The crisis was deepened by [[Factional violence in Libya (2011–2014)|factional violence]] in the [[Aftermath of the First Libyan Civil War|aftermath of the First Civil War]], resulting in the outbreak of the [[Second Libyan Civil War]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Libya's Second Civil War: How did it come to this?|url=http://www.conflict-news.com/libyas-second-civil-war-how-did-it-come-to-this/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320232806/http://www.conflict-news.com/libyas-second-civil-war-how-did-it-come-to-this/|archive-date=20 March 2015|access-date=22 March 2015|work=Conflict News}}{{cite web|author=National Post View|date=24 February 2015|title=National Post View: Stabilizing Libya may be the best way to keep Europe safe|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/24/national-post-view-stabilizing-libya-may-be-the-best-way-to-keep-europe-safe/|access-date=22 March 2015|work=National Post|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317183803/http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/24/national-post-view-stabilizing-libya-may-be-the-best-way-to-keep-europe-safe/|url-status=live}}</ref> The control over the country is currently split between the [[House of Representatives (Libya)|House of Representatives]] (HoR) in [[Tobruk]] and the [[Government of National Unity (Libya)|Government of National Unity]] (GNU) in [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] and their respective supporters, as well as various [[:Category:Jihadist groups in Libya|jihadist groups]] and [[Ethnic groups in Libya|tribal elements]] controlling different parts of the country.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pelham|first=Nicolas|date=February 2015|title=Libya Against Itself|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/feb/19/libya-against-itself/|magazine=The New York Review of Books|access-date=18 February 2015|archive-date=14 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014045423/https://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/feb/19/libya-against-itself/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Fadel, L. [https://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/08/26/343444450/libyas-crisis-a-shattered-airport-two-parliaments-many-factions "Libya's Crisis: A Shattered Airport, Two Parliaments, Many Factions".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426075812/http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/08/26/343444450/libyas-crisis-a-shattered-airport-two-parliaments-many-factions|date=2015-04-26}}</ref>

The former legislature was the [[General National Congress]], which had 200 seats.<ref name="cialegbr">{{cite web|title=Legislative Branch|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2101.html|work=The World Factbook|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011021137/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2101.html|archive-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> The [[General National Congress (2014)]], a largely unrecognised rival parliament based in the ''de jure'' capital of Tripoli, claims to be a legal continuation of the GNC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-parliaments-idUSKBN0GP18S20140825|work=Reuters|title=Libya's ex-parliament reconvenes, appoints Omar al-Hasi as PM|date=25 August 2014|access-date=4 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112343/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/25/us-libya-security-parliaments-idUSKBN0GP18S20140825|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/12/28/egypt-reiterates-support-libyas-legitimate-institutions-amid-deepening-crisis/|work=Daily News Egypt|title=Egypt reiterates support for 'Libya's legitimate institutions' amid deepening crisis|date=28 December 2014|access-date=4 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408061506/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/12/28/egypt-reiterates-support-libyas-legitimate-institutions-amid-deepening-crisis/|archive-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> On 7 July 2012, Libyans voted in [[Libyan General National Congress election, 2012|parliamentary elections]], the first free elections in almost 40 years.<ref name="rfi-elections" /> Around thirty women were elected to become members of parliament.<ref name="rfi-elections">{{cite web|title=Encouraging Libyan women to play a greater role in politics|url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/middle-east/20130204-encouraging-Libyan-women-play-greater-role-politics|publisher=Radio France Internationale|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501060424/http://www.english.rfi.fr/middle-east/20130204-encouraging-Libyan-women-play-greater-role-politics|archive-date=1 May 2013|date=4 February 2013}}</ref> Early results of the vote showed the [[National Forces Alliance]], led by former interim prime minister [[Mahmoud Jibril]], as front runner.<ref>{{cite news |author=Stephen, Chris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/10/muslim-brotherhood-expectations-libyan-election |title=Muslim Brotherhood fell 'below expectations' in Libyan elections |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 July 2012 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109195509/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/10/muslim-brotherhood-expectations-libyan-election |archive-date=9 November 2013  }}</ref> The [[Justice and Construction Party]], affiliated with the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], has done less well in Libya than similar parties in [[Egypt]] and [[Tunisia]].<ref name="econ-knack" /> It won 17 out of 80 seats that were contested by parties; about 60 independents had joined its caucus by 2013.<ref name="econ-knack">{{cite news |title=The knack of organisation |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21569418-muslim-brotherhood-looks-likely-make-further-gains-knack |newspaper=The Economist |location=London |date=12 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062656/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21569418-muslim-brotherhood-looks-likely-make-further-gains-knack |archive-date=8 January 2018  }}</ref> As of January 2013, there was mounting public pressure on the National Congress to set up a constitution-drafting body. Congress had not yet decided whether the members of the body would be elected or appointed.<ref>{{cite press release |title=In Libya, New Government Has Expressed Determination to Tackle Major Internal Problems, Including Precarious Security Situation, Security Council Told |date=29 January 2013 |url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc10902.doc.htm |publisher=United Nations |access-date=28 June 2017 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212231408/http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc10902.doc.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 30 March 2014, the General National Congress voted to replace itself with a new [[House of Representatives (Libya)|House of Representatives]]. The new legislature allocated 30 seats for women, would have 200 seats overall (with individuals able to run as members of political parties), and allowed Libyans of other nationalities to run for office.<ref name="lh30march">{{cite news|url=http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/03/30/congress-votes-to-replace-itself-with-new-house-of-representatives/|title=Congress votes to replace itself with new House of Representatives|work=Libya Herald|date=30 March 2014|access-date=1 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140331000000/http://www.libyaherald.com/2014/03/30/congress-votes-to-replace-itself-with-new-house-of-representatives/|archive-date=31 March 2014}}</ref>

Following the 2012 elections, [[Freedom House]] improved Libya's rating from Not Free to Partly Free and considered the country an [[electoral democracy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Libya|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/libya|work=Freedom in the World 2013|publisher=Freedom House|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203094555/http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/libya|archive-date=3 February 2013|date=9 January 2013}}</ref> Gaddafi merged civil and [[sharia courts]] in 1973. As of 2013, civil courts employed sharia judges in regular [[Court of appeal|courts of appeal]] as specialists in sharia appellate cases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/libya.htm |title=Libya |publisher=Law.emory.edu |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212203803/http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/libya.htm |archive-date=12 February 2013 }}</ref> Laws regarding [[Sharia#Personal_status_and_child_marriage|personal status]] are derived from Islamic law as of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Libya Gender Equality Profile |url=http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Libya-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf |publisher=Unicef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502222708/http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Libya-Gender-Eqaulity-Profile-2011.pdf |archive-date=2 May 2013  }}</ref> At a meeting of the [[European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs]] on 2 December 2014, UN Special Representative [[Bernardino León]] described Libya as a non-state.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/03/Libya-has-moved-from-dictatorship-to-no-state-U-N-envoy.html|agency=Al Arabiya News|title=Libya moved from dictatorship to non-state: U.N. envoy|date=2 December 2014|access-date=4 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216202853/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/12/03/Libya-has-moved-from-dictatorship-to-no-state-U-N-envoy.html|archive-date=16 December 2014}}</ref> An agreement to form a [[Government of National Unity (Libya)|national unity government]] was signed on 17 December 2015.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |author=Kingsley, Patrick |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments |title=Libyan politicians sign UN peace deal to unify rival governments  |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217161008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/libyan-politicians-sign-un-peace-deal-unify-rival-governments |archive-date=17 December 2015  }}</ref> Under the terms of the agreement, a nine-member [[Presidency Council (Libya)|Presidency Council]] and a seventeen-member interim [[Government of National Accord]] would be formed, with a view to holding new elections within two years.<ref name="theguardian.com" /> The [[House of Representatives (Libya)|House of Representatives]] would continue to exist as a legislature, and an advisory body called the [[State Council (Libya)|State Council]] would have members nominated by the [[General National Congress (2014)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html |title=Libyan deal on course, but who is on board? |date=25 December 2015 |publisher=Al Arabiya |access-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128175153/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html |archive-date=28 January 2016  }}</ref> The formation of an interim unity government was announced on 5 February 2021, after its members were elected by the [[Libyan Political Dialogue Forum]] (LPDF).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=UN-led Libya forum selects new interim government|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/5/libyas-factions-head-into-runoff-on-interim-government|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220235724/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/5/libyas-factions-head-into-runoff-on-interim-government|url-status=live}}</ref> Seventy-four members of the LPDF cast ballots for four-member slates, which would fill positions including prime minister and the head of the Presidential Council.<ref name=":0" /> After no slates reached a 60% vote threshold, the two leading groups competed in a run-off election.<ref name=":0" /> [[Mohamed al-Menfi]], a former ambassador to [[Greece]], became head of the Presidential Council.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=2021-02-05|title=Libya crisis: Vote to unite splintered nation|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55955228|access-date=2021-02-05|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415002202/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55955228|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the LPDF confirmed that [[Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh]], a businessman, would be the transitional prime minister.<ref name=":1" /> All of the candidates who ran in the election, including the members of the winning slate, promised to appoint women to 30% of all senior government positions.<ref name=":1" /> The politicians elected to lead the interim government initially agreed not to stand in the national elections scheduled for 24 December 2021.<ref name=":1" /> However, Dbeibeh announced his candidacy for president despite the ban in November 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interim leader Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to run for Libyan presidency|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/22/interim-leader-dbeibah-to-run-for-libyan-elections|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123000252/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/22/interim-leader-dbeibah-to-run-for-libyan-elections|url-status=live}}</ref> The appeals court in Tripoli rejected appeals for his disqualification and allowed Dbeibeh back on the candidates' list, along with a number of other previously disqualified candidates, for the election originally scheduled for December 24.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tripoli Appeals Court reinstates Dbeibah as presidential candidate {{!}} The Libya Observer|url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/tripoli-appeals-court-reinstates-dbeibah-presidential-candidate|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.libyaobserver.ly|language=en|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202020058/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/tripoli-appeals-court-reinstates-dbeibah-presidential-candidate|url-status=dead}}</ref> Even more controversially, the court also reinstated [[Saif al-Islam Gaddafi]], a son of the former dictator, as a presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Libyan court reinstates Saif Gaddafi as presidential candidate|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/2/libya-court-reinstates-gaddafis-son-as-presidential-candidate|access-date=2021-12-21|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924121309/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/2/libya-court-reinstates-gaddafis-son-as-presidential-candidate|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi back in Libya presidential election race {{!}} The Libya Observer|url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/saif-al-islam-gaddafi-back-libya-presidential-election-race|access-date=2021-12-21|website=www.libyaobserver.ly|language=en|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206091010/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/saif-al-islam-gaddafi-back-libya-presidential-election-race|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 22 December 2021, Libya's Election Commission called for the postponement of the election until 24 January 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-22|title=Libya elections: Delay called for in presidential poll|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59755677|access-date=2021-12-23|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702180744/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59755677|url-status=live}}</ref> Earlier, a parliamentary commission said it would be "impossible" to hold the election on 24 December 2021.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|date=2021-12-21|title=Fears of Libya violence as UN races to manage election postponement|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/21/fears-of-libya-violence-as-un-races-to-manage-election-postponement|access-date=2021-12-23|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404011702/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/21/fears-of-libya-violence-as-un-races-to-manage-election-postponement|url-status=live}}</ref> The UN called on Libya's interim leaders to "expeditiously address all legal and political obstacles to hold elections, including finalising the list of presidential candidates".<ref name="ReferenceA" /> However, at the last minute, the election was postponed indefinitely and the international community agreed to continue its support and recognition of the interim government headed by Dbeibeh.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-12-26|title=UK's ambassador drawn into Libyan political crisis after elections called off|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/uk-accused-defending-corruption-libya-election-tweet|access-date=2021-12-28|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=24 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824120544/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/26/uk-accused-defending-corruption-libya-election-tweet|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-27|title=Libyan parliament delays next move amid election chaos|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libyan-parliament-debates-election-chaos-2021-12-27/|access-date=2021-12-28|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403234715/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/libyan-parliament-debates-election-chaos-2021-12-27/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to new election rules, a new prime minister has 21 days to form a cabinet that must be endorsed by the various governing bodies within Libya.<ref name=":1" /> After this cabinet is agreed upon, the unity government will replace all "parallel authorities" within Libya, including the Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the administration led by General Haftar.<ref name=":1" />

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Libya}}
Libya's foreign policies have fluctuated since 1951. As a kingdom, Libya maintained a definitively pro-Western stance and was recognized as belonging to the conservative traditionalist bloc in the League of Arab States (the present-day [[Arab League]]), of which it became a member in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ly0036) |title=Independent Libya |publisher=Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120922002614/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ly0036) |archive-date=22 September 2012  }}</ref> The government was also friendly towards Western countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, [[French Fifth Republic|France]], [[First Italian Republic|Italy]], and [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Greece]], and established full diplomatic relations with the [[Soviet Union]] in 1955.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zoubir|first=Yahia|year=2009|title=Libya and Europe: Economic Realism at the Rescue of the Qaddafi Authoritarian Regime|journal=Journal of Contemporary European Studies|volume=17|issue=3|pages=401–415|doi=10.1080/14782800903339354|s2cid=153625134}}</ref> 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 a conservative course at home.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/JCS/bin/get7.cgi?directory=Fall00/&filename=Abadi.htm |title=Pragmatism and Rhetoric in Libya's Policy Toward Israel |author=Abadi, Jacob |publisher=The Journal of Conflict Studies: Volume XX Number 1 Fall 2000, University of New Brunswick |year=2000 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330001903/http://www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/JCS/bin/get7.cgi?directory=Fall00%2F&filename=Abadi.htm |archive-date=30 March 2012  }}</ref>

After the 1969 [[coup d'état]], [[Muammar Gaddafi]] closed American and British bases and partly [[Nationalization|nationalized]] foreign oil and commercial interests in Libya. Gaddafi was known for backing a number of leaders viewed as anathema to [[Westernization]] and [[political liberalism]], including [[History of Uganda (1971–79)|Ugandan]] president [[Idi Amin]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Idi Amin speaks: an annotated selection of his speeches|author1=Idi Amin |author2=Benoni Turyahikayo-Rugyema |year=1998|publisher=African Studies Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison |isbn=978-0-942615-38-8}}</ref> [[Central African Empire|Central African]] emperor [[Jean-Bédel Bokassa]],<ref name="stanik23">{{Cite book|title=El Dorado Canyon: Reagan's undeclared war with Qaddafi|author=Joseph T. Stanik|year=2003|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-55750-983-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/eldoradocanyonre00stan}}</ref><ref name="leedavis16">{{Cite book |title=Qaddafi, terrorism, and the origins of the U.S. attack on Libya |url=https://archive.org/details/qaddafiterrorism00davi |url-access=registration |author=Lee Davis, Brian |year=1990 |page=[https://archive.org/details/qaddafiterrorism00davi/page/16 16]|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780275933029 }}</ref> [[Derg|Ethiopian]] strongman [[Haile Mariam Mengistu]],<ref name="leedavis16" /> Liberian president [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]],<ref name="economistfall">{{cite news |url= http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9441341 |title= How the mighty are falling |access-date= 17 July 2007 |date= 5 July 2007 |newspaper= The Economist |location= London |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071012003829/http://economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9441341 |archive-date= 12 October 2007 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Serbia and Montenegro/History|Yugoslav]] president [[Slobodan Milošević]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.alb-net.com/kcc/102699.htm |title=Gaddafi Given Yugoslavia's Top Medal By Milosevic |date=26 October 1999 |agency=Reuters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515031023/http://www.alb-net.com/kcc/102699.htm |archive-date=15 May 2011  }}</ref>
{{multiple image |total_width=450 |image1=Mutassim_Gadaffi_Hillary_Clinton.jpg |caption1=Libyan National Security Advisor [[Mutassim Gaddafi]] and US Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]], April 2009
|image2=Secretary Kerry, UK Foreign Secretary Hague Hold News Conference With Libyan Prime Minister Ziedan (11035773394).jpg |caption2=UK Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]] with Libyan Prime Minister [[Ali Zeidan]] and US Secretary of State [[John Kerry]], November 2013}}
Relations with the West were strained for most of Gaddafi's rule,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7967820/Yvonne-Fletcher-killer-may-be-brought-to-justice.html |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Gordon |last=Rayner |title=Yvonne Fletcher killer may be brought to justice |date=28 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831015645/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7967820/Yvonne-Fletcher-killer-may-be-brought-to-justice.html |archive-date=31 August 2010  }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated183">{{Cite book|title=Qaddafi, terrorism, and the origins of the U.S. attack on Libya.|author=Lee Davis, Brian |page=183}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Proclamation 4907 – Imports of Petroleum |publisher= US Office of the Federal Register |date= 10 March 1982 |url= http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1982/31082a.htm |author= President Ronald Reagan |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080306063835/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1982/31082a.htm |archive-date= 6 March 2008 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> with incidents including the killing of [[City of London Police|London]] policewoman [[Yvonne Fletcher]], the [[1986 Berlin discotheque bombing|bombing]] of a [[West Berlin]] nightclub frequented by US servicemen, and the bombing of [[Pan Am Flight 103]] leading to UN sanctions in the 1990s; by the late 2000s, the United States and other Western powers had normalised relations with Libya.<ref name="SalakLibya" /> Gaddafi's decision to abandon the pursuit of [[weapons of mass destruction]] after the [[Iraq War]] saw [[History of Iraq under Ba'athist rule|Iraqi dictator]] [[Saddam Hussein]] overthrown and put on trial led to Libya being hailed as a success for Western [[soft power]] initiatives in the [[War on Terror]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3566545.stm |title=Blair hails new Libyan relations |work=BBC News |date=25 March 2004 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307231343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3566545.stm |archive-date=7 March 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Marcus |first=Jonathan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4774305.stm |title=Washington's Libyan fairy tale |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2006 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116095214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4774305.stm |archive-date=16 January 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/23/opinion/why-libya-gave-up-on-the-bomb.html |title=Why Libya Gave Up on the Bomb |work=The New York Times |date=23 January 2004 |access-date=24 February 2011 |first=Flynt |last=Leverett |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401183534/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/23/opinion/why-libya-gave-up-on-the-bomb.html |archive-date=1 April 2011  }}</ref> In October 2010, Gaddafi apologized to African leaders on behalf of Arab nations for their involvement in the [[trans-Saharan slave trade]].<ref name="France 24 2010">{{cite web | title=Gaddafi warns Sudan secession would be dangerous for Africa | website=France 24 | date=10 Oct 2010 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/20101010-muammar-gaddafi-sudan-secession-danger-africa-libya | access-date=25 Jun 2021 | archive-date=28 June 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628090731/https://www.france24.com/en/20101010-muammar-gaddafi-sudan-secession-danger-africa-libya | url-status=live }}</ref>

Libya is included in the European Union's [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP), which aims at bringing the EU and its neighbours closer. Libyan authorities rejected European Union's plans aimed at stopping [[Immigration to Europe|migration from Libya]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Libya rejects EU plans for migrant centers on its territory |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-libya/libya-rejects-eu-plans-for-migrant-centers-on-its-territory-idUSKBN1KA0X3 |work=Reuters |date=20 July 2018 |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212223/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-libya/libya-rejects-eu-plans-for-migrant-centers-on-its-territory-idUSKBN1KA0X3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Libyan authorities oppose EU migrant plans |url=https://euobserver.com/migration/136837 |work=EUobserver |date=8 February 2017 |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526205253/https://euobserver.com/migration/136837 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Libya signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{main|Libyan Armed Forces}} {{Update|date=April 2016}}
Libya's [[Armed Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|previous national army]] was defeated in the [[First Libyan Civil War]] and disbanded. The [[Tobruk]]-based [[House of Representatives (Libya)|House of Representatives]], which claims to be the legitimate government of Libya, has attempted to reestablish a military known as the [[Libyan National Army]]. Led by [[Khalifa Haftar]], it controls much of eastern Libya.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/qa-libya-180909072236031.html|title=Q&A: What's next for Libya?|last=Allahoum|first=Ramy|date=9 September 2018|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=9 September 2018|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803092154/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/qa-libya-180909072236031.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, an estimated 35,000 personnel had joined its ranks.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |title=In Libya, the Captors Have Become the Captive |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/magazine/in-libya-the-captors-have-become-the-captive.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=24 May 2012 |date=13 May 2012 |first=Robert F. |last=Worth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524082413/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/magazine/in-libya-the-captors-have-become-the-captive.html |archive-date=24 May 2012  }}</ref> The internationally-recognised [[Government of National Accord]] established in 2015 had [[Libyan Army|its own army]] that replaced the LNA, consisting largely of undisciplined and disorganised militia groups.

As of November 2012, it was deemed to be still in the embryonic stage of development.<ref>{{cite news |title=US-backed force in Libya face challenges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/13/libya-middleeast |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=13 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227171955/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/13/libya-middleeast |archive-date=27 December 2016  }}</ref> President [[Mohammed Magariaf]] promised that empowering the army and police force was the government's biggest priority in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Libyans lament their missing army |date=19 October 2012 |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/10/2012101979848968.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124223045/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/10/2012101979848968.html |archive-date=24 January 2013  }}</ref> President Megarif also ordered that all of the country's militias to come under government authority or disband.<ref>{{cite news |title=Libya orders 'illegitimate' militias to disband |url=https://news.yahoo.com/libya-orders-illegitimate-militias-disband-145952723.html |date=23 September 2012 |agency=Associated Press |author1=Mohamed, Esam |author2=Alfitory, Osama |publisher=Yahoo! News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144339/http://news.yahoo.com/libya-orders-illegitimate-militias-disband-145952723.html |archive-date=5 March 2016  }}</ref>

Militias had refused to be integrated into a central security force by February 2013.<ref name="hangover">{{cite news |title=The party and the hangover |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21572243-country-still-struggling-move-ahead-party-and-hangover |newspaper=The Economist |location=London |access-date=21 February 2013 |date=23 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222164235/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21572243-country-still-struggling-move-ahead-party-and-hangover |archive-date=22 February 2013  }}</ref> Many of the militias were disciplined, but the most powerful of them answered only to the executive councils of various Libyan cities.<ref name="hangover"/> The militias made up the so-called [[Libya Shield Force]], a parallel national force, which operated at the request, rather than at the order, of the defence ministry.<ref name="hangover"/>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Subdivisions of Libya|Districts of Libya|Baladiyat of Libya}}
[[File:Libya, administrative divisions - Nmbrs - colored.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Districts of Libya since 2007]]
Historically, the area of Libya was considered three provinces (or states), [[Tripolitania]] in the northwest, [[Cyrenaica|Barka]] (Cyrenaica) in the east, and [[Fezzan]] in the southwest. The conquest by Italy in the [[Italo-Turkish War]] united them into a single political unit.

Since 2007, Libya has been divided into 22 districts ([[Shabiyat]]):
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em
|# [[Nuqat al Khams]]
# [[Zawiya District|Zawiya]]
# [[Jafara]]
# [[Tripoli District, Libya|Tripoli]]
# [[Murqub District|Murqub]]
# [[Misrata District|Misrata]]
# [[Sirte District|Sirte]]
# [[Benghazi District|Benghazi]]
# [[Marj District|Marj]]
# [[Jabal al Akhdar]]
# [[Derna District|Derna]]
# [[Tobruk District|Tobruk]]
# [[Nalut District|Nalut]]
# [[Jabal al Gharbi District|Jabal al Gharbi]]
# [[Wadi al Shatii District|Wadi al Shatii]]
# [[Jufra District|Jufra]]
# [[Al Wahat District|Al Wahat]]
# [[Ghat District|Ghat]]
# [[Wadi al Hayaa District|Wadi al Hayaa]]
# [[Sabha District|Sabha]]
# [[Murzuq District|Murzuq]]
# [[Kufra District|Kufra]]
}}

In 2022, 18 provinces were declared by the Libyan Government of National Unity ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220302150300/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyan-government-divides-country-18-provinces Libyan Observer]): the eastern coast, Jabal Al-Akhdar, Al-Hizam, Benghazi, Al-Wahat, Al-Kufra, Al-Khaleej, Al-Margab, Tripoli, Al-Jafara, Al-Zawiya, West Coast, Gheryan, Zintan, Nalut, Sabha, Al-Wadi, and Murzuq Basin.

=== Human rights ===
{{See also|Human rights in Libya}}
According to [[Human Rights Watch]] annual report 2016, journalists are still being targeted by the armed groups in Libya. The organization added that Libya ranked very low in the 2015 [[Press Freedom Index]], 154th out of 180 countries.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/libya|title=Libya|chapter=Libya: Events of 2015 |date=11 January 2016|publisher=Human Rights Watch|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216122230/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/libya|archive-date=16 December 2016}}</ref> For the 2021 Press Freedom Index its score dropped to 165th out of 180 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=2021 World Press Freedom Index|url=https://rsf.org/en/index|publisher=[[Reporters Sans Frontieres]]|access-date=28 April 2022 | archive-date=27 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427230843/https://rsf.org/en/ranking|url-status=live}}</ref> [[LGBT rights in Libya|Homosexuality]] is illegal in Libya.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=16 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111064457/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |archive-date=11 November 2016  }}</ref>