LIBYA is North African nation of 3.6 million people. The overwhelming majority Arabic-speaking.
Islam is the religon of per cent of the polulation.
Libyans have been suffering under resisting imperialist domination for most of the 20th century.
invaded 1911, 1932. was Libya, allied with War II), placed the In Libya was. granted independence under King Idris, British troops conLibya, Washington base the United near city of Tripoli.
Libya under imperialist change things virtually the oil and the monarchy and its friends monopolised the country's growing wealth. About 10 per cent of the population received more the national income.
In 1969, while King Idris was traveling abroad some $60 million in spending money, a military Revolutionary Command Council led by Muammar el-Qaddafi took power. abolished the monarch and took measures to improve living conditions and break the control of the imperialist powers.
The British troops were forced leave, shut down the Wheelus base.
In 1971 the government also nationalised the holdings of four major oil Some cest od less took per cent ownership of the rest.
The uses to which oil wealth was put were radically different under the old regime. While substantial inequality still exists. the masses have made big gains.
$500 monthly minimum wage was. established many categories of workers. By law, universal primary education was instituted, and education at all levels was made feee of charge.
was medical care and housing. According to the 1986 World Almanac, literacy rate has risen to 40 per cell.
effect of the regime's measures was wipe the old aristocracy that supported the monarchy. The main beneficiaries the workers, peasants, and sec tions of the middle classes "Qaddati clearly has considerable support from ine younger and poorer elements of Libya's benefited most from revolution, conceded the