Editorial
Laying at the crossroads of history, ancient empires, contents, Libya is geographically
located at a place where history comes alive through the extraordinary monuments on its
shores. Being home to the world’s richest sources of oil, it is where Sahara meets the Mediterranean Sea. It is also home to extraordinary desert scenery. Sahara covers
almost 90 percent of the country reflects the beauty of the desert mixed with cultural and
his toric heritage at its best.
Towns of Ghadames and Ghat, desert volcanoes like Waw al-Namus, and many other sites are worth seeing to explore this beautiful country. Discovery of oil reserves in 1959
made this poor state one of the wealthiest amongst the African countries and also one of the world’s leading petroleum-producing countries with vast sums to spread on social, agricultural, and military development.
Petroleum makes the maximum export earnings and about a third of national income. Apart from petroleum, the other natural resources are natural gas and gypsum. Major crops include olives, cereals, fruits, dates, and vegetables. The majority of the
inhabitants are Arabs, but there are scattered communities of Berbers and, in the south
west, many of mixed Berber and African descent.
Islam is the official religion (most Libyans are Sunni Muslims), and Arabic is the official language. There were several dents, bumps, and bruises faced by this country
and its countrymen on their way to 20th-century democracy and freedom as they ba
titled themselves with sheer dictatorship and autocratic 42 powerful years of Coln Muammar Gaddafi.
Gaddafi gained authority in 1969 through a coup d’ét against King Idris, launching Libyan Revolution. He continued to rule for 42 despotic years but the power
game all ended in 2011 as a result of the six-month uprising and civil war. The world turned against Gaddafi for using violence and force against the popular uprising done
by Libyans against him.
The uprising was also considered to be an inspiration that was engulfing the Arab world
after its ignition from Tunisia, popularly called “Arab Spring”. In October 2011 the opposition group National Transitional Council(NTC) declared independence and handed over the power to the newly elected parliament in general elections held in August 2012. The transition from autocracy to democracy was bloody with several causalities on the way but now since the country has chosen a path towards democracy and development, the people of the country have several expectations from the new government.
The incumbent Libyan Government headed by the acting president and head of the Libyan General National Congress are trying their best to provide all the necessary facilities including health, education, security, food, and start rebuilding the state structure. It is now time for the Libyan people to gather their strengths and vigor in order to put forth the dedication and devotion to bring their country out of this dismay and situation of hopelessness to the dawn of a new era.
We wish the Libyan people and state a better and brighter prosperous future with hope
to rebuild a new and better Libya.
The Diplomatic Insight extends in heartfelt felicitation for 62nd Libyan Independence day and the 3rd Anniversary of the 17th February Revolution.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
