Libya

American  

[lib-ee-uh] / ˈlɪb i ə /

noun

1. Ancient Geography. the part of N Africa W of Egypt.

2. Italian Libia.  a republic in N Africa between Tunisia and Egypt: formerly a monarchy 1951–69. 679,400 sq. mi. (1,759,646 sq. km). Tripoli.

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Libya British  

/ ˈlɪbɪə /

noun

1. Official name: Al-Jumhuria al-Arabia al-Libya ash-Shabiya al-Ishtirakiya al-Uzma.  a republic in N Africa, on the Mediterranean: became an Italian colony in 1912; divided after World War II into Tripolitania and Cyrenaica (under British administration) and Fezzan (under French); gained independence in 1951; monarchy overthrown by a military junta led by Colonel Gaddafi in 1969; Gaddafi's authoritarian regime overthrown in 2011 following a popular uprising. It consists almost wholly of desert and is a major exporter of oil. Official language: Arabic. Official religion: (Sunni) Muslim. Currency: Libyan dinar. Capital: Tripoli. Pop: 6 002 347 (2013 est). Area: 1 760 000 sq km (680 000 sq miles)

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Libya Cultural  

1. Nation in northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Egypt (see also Egypt) to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. Its capital and largest city is Tripoli.

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Discover More

Under the leadership of Muammar Qaddafi, Libya pursued a policy of openly supporting and abetting terrorists around the world. This policy made Libya an outcast state with few friends outside the Arab world. Recently, Qaddafi has claimed that he now disavows terrorism.

Example Sentences

Much of Libya is controlled by rival militias, and smuggling networks rely on their co-operation.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Like with gold, the RSF smuggles gum arabic through border points it controls to neighboring countries, including Libya, Chad, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

HRW says airports in the UAE, Libya, Chad and Somalia were used as transit points for the mercenaries before travelling to the frontlines in the Darfur region.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Libya has long faced repression and poverty, both during and after Gaddafi's rule.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

But at twilight or during the night, other things are visible: oil-well fires in Libya and the Persian Gulf; deepwater illumination by the Japanese squid fishing fleet; the bright lights of large cities.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan