United Kingdom of Libya (Italian Empire)

United Kingdom of Libya al Mlakat al Mutahidat al Liybia المملكة المتحدة الليبية
Flag
Anthem: "Band with Italy peoples of Libya"
Capital and largest city	Tripoli
Official languages	Italian Arabic
Spoken languages	Libyan Arabic Italian Berber Teda
Foreign languages	French
Ethnic groups	Arabs Italians Berbers Other
Religion	Sunni Islam Catholic Christianity
Demonym(s)	Libyan
Government	Unitary Fascist Monarchy
• King of Libya	Italo Debalti
• Prime Minister	Musa Al-Koni
Formation
• Establishment of Libya	3 December 1934
• Annexation of Tunisia	1 March 1954
• Libyan Social Republic	28 October 1975
• United Kingdom of Libya	24 December 2002
• 2011 Libyan Civil War	17 February 2011
Area
• Total	2,423,151 km2 (935,584 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	18,667,370
• Census	2021
Currency	Italian Lira (LIT)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+218
ISO 3166 code	LY

The United Kindom of Libya (Arabic: al Mlakat al Mutahidat al Liybia المملكة المتحدة الليبية; Italian: Regno Unito di Libia) is a Realm of the Italian Empire in the Maghreb bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, French Chad to the south, French Niger to the southwest, and Algeria to the west. Libya is made of four historical regions: Tripolitania]], Fezzan, Tunisia and Cyrenaica. Libya is the fourth largest state in Africa. Libya has the 9th-largest proven oil reserves of any country in the world. The largest city and capital, Tripoli, is located in central Libya and contains over three million of Libya's 18 million people.

Libya has been inhabited by Berbers since the late Bronze Age. The Phoenicians established trading posts in western Libya and ancient Greek colonists established city-states in eastern Libya. Libya was variously ruled by Carthaginians, Persians, Egyptians and Greeks before becoming a part of the Roman Empire. Libya was an early centre of Christianity. Ottoman rule continued until the Italo-Turkish War which resulted in the Italian conquest of Libya and the establishment of two colonies, later unified in the Italian Libya from 1934.

During the African War, Libya was an area of warfare. The enlarged Libya became autonomous as Libyan Social Republic in 1970s. A major reform resulted in the proclamation of the United Kingdom of Libya in 2002. In 2010-2011 an harsh civil war erupted and was bloodily suppressed by Italian and Libyan forces.

Demographics

Libya is a large country with a relatively small population, and the population is concentrated very along the coast and in the western area around Tunisi.

Population density is as high as 71 inhabitants per square kilometre in Tunisia, about 50 inhabitants per square kilometre in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, but falls to less than 1 inhabitant per square kilometre in Fezzan. Ninety percent of the people live primarily along the coast. The main settlement is the Fascist Village, which may be for Italians and for Arabs. All the Fascist Villages have a place of worship (Catholic church or Mosque), school, social centre (with gymnasium and cinema), party offices, Gendarmerie barracks and a small hospital.

The majority of the Libyan population is today identified as Arab, that is, Arabic-speaking and Arab-cultured. Berber Libyans, those who retain Berber language and Berber culture, comprise a minority.

The Tebu are an ethnic group inhabiting Fezzan. They live either as herders and nomads or as farmers near oases. Their society is clan-based, with each clan having certain oases, pastures and wells. The Tebu has a caste system: freemen, artisans and the slaves. After the Italian conquest, slaves were freed but stile comprise the bottom of the social hierarchy. Tebu are patrilineal, with an elder male heading the lineage. The second order of Toubou kinship is to the clan.

Italians are concentrated in Tunisi, Bengasi and Tripoli, as well as in other some other coast cities. They numbered 4,400,000 in 2011 (24% of the population).

Libyan clans

There are about 140 tribes and clans in Libya. Family life is important for Arab Libyan families, which make up 67% of the Libyan population. Most of the population has occupations in industry and services, and a small percentage is in agriculture. Libya is a tribal society and tribes are major players in the political structure. The majority of Arab Libyans depend on their tribal connection in order to obtain their rights, and for protection, and even in order to find a job, particularly in the state apparatus. This is less true in Western Libya.

The two largest and most influential Arab tribes in Libya are the Beni Salim tribe that settled in Cyrenaica, and the Beni Hilal that settled in central Libya around Tripoli. Each tribe and each sub-tribe is led by a chief. The Chief of the Tribe is appointed by the King, the Chief of the Sub-Tribe is appointed by the Head of Government.

The Chief of the Tribe personally answers to the competent government authorities for order and security of the territory of residence and travel of the tribe. He exercises, within the tribe, the faculties and disciplinary powers permitted by the customs recognized by the group and disengages the other powers that are conferred on him by the political-administrative system and by the other regulations in force.

Under the direct supervision and personal responsibility of the Chief of the Tribe, the Chiefs of the sub-tribes exercise, within their groups, similar functions, according to the rules established by the legal systems.

Around 40% of the Libyan population have no tribal affiliation whatsoever, being descendents of the Berber, Turkish, and other communities, or being of European descent.

Religion

The official religion of Libya is Islam, but Christianity is officially protected. About 73% of the population in Libya are Muslims, most of whom belong to the Sunni branch. Small numbers of Ibadi Muslims live in the country.

Before the 1930s, the Senussi Sunni Sufi movement was the primary Islamic movement in Libya. This Islamic movement was eventually destroyed by the Italian invasion. In 1959 Italy formally allowed the establishment of an University of Islamic Studies and Jurisprudence in Bengasi, also in order to promote a sort of "Italian Islam".

Catholicism is largely restricted to Italian and other European communities (accounting for a 25% of the population) but 2% follows the Christian Church of Egypt. Catholics are served by the Archdiocese of Tripoli (with responsibility for Italian Christians) and by the Archdiocese of Bengasi (overseeing Maltese Christians), while Copts are served by an individual Bishopric in Tripoli. This Coptic Bishop is appointed by the Egyptians but the nomination is made in consultation with the Ethiopian Patriarchate.

Government

Libya is an unitary fascist one-party monarchy. The King of Libya is the Duce of Italy, who presides over the executive branch. The official ideology is the Libyan Fascism, a local variant of Fascism.

Politics

Libya is a Fascist dictatorship. The National Fascist Union (Arabic: الاتحاد الفاشستي الوطني al'Aitihad al'Fashistiu al'Wataniu, shortened Aifaw, acronym: A.F.W.; Italian: Unione Nazionale Fascista, acronym: U.N.F.) is the ruling party. The Union is the result of the working pact between the Libyan federations of the P.N.F., for Italians, and the Arab Lictor League, for both Arabic and Berber people. In turn, the Arab Lictor League has a dedicated branch for the Berber people.

Viceroy

The Viceroy is appointed by decree of the Duce on the proposal of the Minister for Imperial Affairs. He depends directly and exclusively on the Duce and, according to the instructions he receives from him, directs the politics and administration of the United Kingdom of Libya, ensures its safety and the maintenance of public security and of public order, takes care of the application of laws and regulations.

The Viceroy has a Cabinet immediately dependent on him and a Secretariat for the handling of his personal correspondence and for the services of the Viceroyal Household.

Executive branch

The Council of Ministers, appointed and revoked by the Duce, is instructed to implement the state's general policy as drawn up by the Aifaw and by the King of Libya. In ordinary political processes, government does not rest on individual leadership, but rather on collegial decision making.

The Council of Ministers implements laws and resolutions issued by the General People's Congress sanctioned by the King (or by the Viceroy with the King's standing authorisation), prepares project proposals and budgets for the General Planning Council, proposes bills, implements and manages strategic projects, monitors local government, institutions and public companies, issues decisions on organizational structures for the government, issues and regulates laws as stipulated by the jurisdiction.

The Viceroy and the civil and military officials vested with governmental functions cannot be called to account for the exercise of these functions except by the superior authority, nor undergo criminal proceedings for any reason or arrested, except in cases of flagrage, without the with the authorization of the Duce in the case of the Viceroy, and this in the case of the other officials. The same rule is observed for those Italian Libyan citizens who are recognized as local leaders or notables.

The Chief of Government assists the Viceroy and, more particularly, supervises all civil and political services, according to the directives that are given. As of 2019, the Council of Ministers consists of 18 members:

Viceroy

• Chief of Government
• Assistant Chief of Government
• Secretary-General of the National Fascist Union
• Minister of Interior
  • Libya Colonisation Agency: in charge for facilitating Italian immigration and colonisation
• Minister of Grace and Justice
• Minister of Tourism, Culture and Information
• Minister of National Education
• Minister of Health
• Minister of Social Affairs
• Chairman of the Interministerial Committee of National Economic Planning
• Minister of Finances
• Minister of National Economy
• Minister of Industry and Mines
• Minister of Agriculture, Animal Wealth and Marine Resources and Environment
  • Forestry Services Directorate;
  • Agriculture Services Directorate: in charge for reforestation activities, as well as for management of existing forests.
• Minister of Energy
• Minister of Telecommunications and Transport
• Minister of Public Service and Governance
• Minister of Religious Affairs

Legislative branch

The legislature is the General People's Congress of Libya (Arabic: مؤتمر الشعب العام الليبي‎ Mu'tammar al-Sha'ab al 'âmm) , which has 200 seats filled with corporatist procedures. The Congress includes officials and officers in charge of the various administrative services of Libya, representatives of trade unions, the Libyan Council of Corporate Economy, Savings Banks and Banking and Insurance Institutions and other public bodies based in Libya.

The Congress is convened in two ordinary sessions per year: one within the months of May and June and the other within the months of November and December. The Congress can also be convened in extraordinary sessions, whenever the Viceroy deems it necessary.

Alongside the General People's Congress of Libya, the Royal Council is the formal gathering place for all tribes of Libya.

Military and security

Libya's military consists of three branches: the Libyan Gendarmerie, the Libyan Royal Guard and the Volunteer Militia for Libyan National Security. The Libyan Royal Guard is the primary tool of the Italian Empire for military operations in Near and Middle East due to the Islamic faith of its members.

The Interior Ministry is the government body in charge of ensuring both security and safety and overall governance within Libya.

Judiciary

The Libyan judiciary is modelled after the Italian system and includes:

• Courts of first instance, in the Provinces. These have original jurisdiction over non-political criminal cases and over lesser civil cases. They consist of a panel of three judges, ruling by majority decision, and hear civil, labour, criminal, and commercial cases. They apply Sharia law to personal and religious matters.
  • Courts of assizes of first instance: they hear serious and political criminal cases. They consist of a panel of three judges integrated by a jury of five lay judges, with at least two Italian lay judges.
• Appeals courts: there are four courts of appeal in Tripoli, Tunisi, Bengasi e Sabha. A three-judge panel, ruling by majority decision, hears appeals from the courts of first instance.
  • Courts of Assized of Appeal: they hear appeals from the Courts of Assizes.
• The Supreme Court of Cassation is located in Tripoli. There are six chambers: civil and labour, criminal, administrative, constitutional, Israeli Religious Law, and Sharia, with a five-judge panel in each chamber, ruling by majority. The Supreme Court of Cassation is the final appellate body for cases emanating from lower courts.

Sharia Courts judge matters relating to the personal status, family law, inheritance law and religious practices of Libyan Muslim citizens. The same competences, except for the inheritance law, have the rabbinical courts for Libyan Israelites.

Administrative divisions

Libya is subdivided into 25 Provinces and the Special Territory of Fezzan:

• el-Azizia Province
• Giofra Province
• Homs Province
• al-Nuqat al-Khams Province
• Sciati Province
• Zavia Province
• Gadames Province
• Garian Province
• Misurata Province
• Beni Ulid Province
• Sirte Province
• Tripoli Province
• Tarhuna Province
• Iefren Province
• Zlitan Province
• Agedabia Province
• Tobruch Province
• Fati Province
• Gebel el-Achdar Province
• Cufra Province
• Bengasi Province
• Derna Province
• Tunisi Province
• Médenine Province
• Sfax Province
• Souch El Arba Province

Provinces are organized according the Italian model. The equivalent of the Prefect is styled Provincial Commissioner (Commissario Provinciale; مفوض المقاطعة mufawad al Muqataea) and is assisted by a قاضي Qadi for extrajudicial functions involving Muslims and by a דיין Dayan for extrajudicial functions involving Jews. The Provincial Commissioner is also assisted by the local branches of government, by the Provincial Executive Committee, and presides over the Provincial Congress. The power of the heads of the nomadic tribes is guaranteed, as long as they are recognized by the Government.

Under Provinces, Districts and Municipalities also exist. The Municipal Congress is the smallest unit of government in Libya and governs a municipality. The Congress consists of every man who had served in the military or in the Fascist Party. The actual congress meets at three scheduled meetings per year or as called upon by necessity. Day-to-day management and oversight is provided by the Municipal Executive Committee appointed by the relevant District Congress.

District Congresses consist of members of the Municipal Congress elected according corporatist criteria. Day-to-day management and oversight is provided by the District Executive Committee appointed by the relevant Provincial Congress.

Education

The educational system in Libya is fairly complex and composite in nature. The basic structure is the State School System, based on the Italian model but with some local autonomy provided. In public schools established by the government, principles that are in contrast with their religion cannot be taught to Muslims and Jews.

Municipalities operate Elementary Schools. Such Elementary Schools (Scuola Elementare; مدرسة ابتدائية) teach pupils a common set of subjects: Italian, Arabic, Maths, Sciences. Berber and other students not speaking Arabic as their mother tongue may study their own language instead of Arabic. Each community enjoys the right to have its own religious teaching with approved priests or licensed scholars. Elementary Schools are financed by the central government (30%), the Provincial Executive Committee (30%) and by the Municipality itself (40%).

Districts operate Lower Middle Schools. Such Lower Middle Schools (Scuola Media Inferiore; المدرسة المتوسطة) last three years (roughly from age 11 to 13), and provides further education on the subjects studied at the Elementary School, with the addition of Technology and a language spoken in the Italian Empire other than Italian. Berber and other students not speaking Arabic as their mother tongue may study their own language instead of Arabic. Italian students also study English or Latin. At the end of the third year students sit an exam which enables them to continue their education. The language subjects vary according the language spoken by the community populating the school. Each community enjoys the right to have its own religious teaching with approved priests or licensed scholars. Lower Middle Schools are financed by the central government (30%), the Provincial Executive Committee (30%) and by the District itself (40%).

Provinces operate Upper Middle Schools. Such Upper Middle Schools (Scuola Media Superiore; المدرسة الإعدادية العليا) lasts five years (even though some Work Training Institutes might offer a diploma after only three years). All tiers involve an exam at the end of the final year, required to gain a diploma and have access to further education.
The secondary school situation varies, since there are several types of schools differentiated by subjects and activities. The main division is between the High School, the Technical School the Work Training Institute. Any kind of secondary school that lasts 5 years grants access to the final exam, called Secondary Diploma Exam. This exam takes place every year around the middle of the year and grants access to University.
While the education received in a High School, which involves a broad and specifically academic curriculum, is necessary to enter University, Technical School and Work Training Institute students have access to it, provided they pass the specific tests which are mandatory in all faculties. Each community enjoys the right to have its own religious teaching with approved priests or licensed scholars. Lower Middle Schools are financed by the central government (70%) and by the Provincial Executive Committee (30%).

Other schools

Each nomadic tribe may, fielding licensed teachers or specially-trained Education Overseers, operate its own Elementary and Lower Middle Schools. However, pupils and students must attend yearly exams in order to get promoted. Such teachers and Education Overseers should follow the State-approved education programme, but actually are much more free than their sedentary counterparts.

Religious Schools must be overseen and strictly controlled by the relevant authority: the Archidioceses or the Koranic University of Bengasi. Other private education is free, but the government supervises it.

See also

• Italian Empire (Kingdom of Italy)
• Libyan Gendarmerie (Italian Empire)
• Volunteer Militia for Libyan National Security
• Libyan Royal Guard (Kingdom of Italy)