Unrest has erupted in Libya led by violent protests against the repressive dictatorship of Muammar al-Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for over 40 years. Gaddafi has ordered security forces to violently crack down on protesters. The international community has condemned Gaddafi and referred him to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Neighboring countries and the UN have imposed sanctions as hundreds of thousands of refugees flee the violence in Libya.

1. Unrest In Libya
By: Katie Byrne

2. Location of Libya
Located in Northeast
corner of Africa.
Neighbors Egypt,
Tunisia, Algeria, Niger,
Chad and Sudan.
Mediterranean Sea to
the north.

3. Background Information
• Ruled by DICTATOR Muammar al Gaddafi
• Libya is about the size of Alaska
• 6.5 million residents,
- 97 percent of the population is Muslim
• Classified as upper middle income level by the World Bank
• It contains the ninth largest Oil Reserve in the world
• Libya has a poor human rights record ( dont treat people fairly)
• In 2010, the Freedom House gave Libya the lowest possible score on a
scale of measuring freedom.

4. Libya History
1951: Libya won independence after three decades of Italian rule.
1986: U.S. jets bombed a Gaddafi compound in Tripoli.
2009: Gaddafi marks 40 years of rule.
Feb. 15, 2011: Anti-government protests erupt in Libya. The uprising turns
bloody, with pro-Gaddafi forces firing on protesters.

5. Why the Protests and Violence?
• Recent revolutions in neighboring countries Tunisia and
Egypt, demanding democratic changes, inspired violent protests
in Libya against the repressive military government.
• The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi ordered his security forces
to sabotage oil facilities in the country, taken over by the
protestors.
• Gaddafi all but launched a war against his country's civilian
population to maintain control of the oil-rich, North African
nation.
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6. The Conditions in Libya

7. The World Reaction
• 2/25 British nationals were evacuated from Libya
• 2/26 Libyan ambassador denounces dictator Gaddafi
• 2/27 UN Security Council unanimously votes for sanctions against
Libya and refer Gaddafi to International Criminal Court for crimes
against humanity.
• 2/28 South Asian countries evacuated their nationals
• World gold prices hit new high
• Refugees flee to Tunisia, more aid is needed
• 3/2 Canada sends warship to Libya to evacuate refugees.
• 3/3 Oil prices rise to almost $118/barrel.
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8. United States Reactions to Turmoil in Libya
• President Obama issued an executive order that imposes
immediate sanctions on Libyan ruler Muammar al Gaddafi, his
sons and his supporters.
• All U.S. based assets of Gaddafi and his four sons are frozen and
transactions prohibited.
• Members of the U.S. embassy staff in Libya are evacuated and the
Embassy operations have been suspended.