2012 Edition

Background

The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system was a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and was supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During the 1990s, QADHAFI began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and to renounce terrorism. QADHAFI subsequently made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations. The US rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006. In August 2008, the US and Libya signed a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement to compensate claimants in both countries who allege injury or death at the hands of the other country, including the Lockerbie bombing, the LaBelle disco bombing, and the UTA 772 bombing. In October 2008, the US Government received $1.5 billion pursuant to the agreement to distribute to US national claimants, and as a result effectively normalized its bilateral relationship with Libya. The two countries then exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1973 in January 2009. Libya in May 2010 was elected to its first three-year seat on the UN Human Rights Council, prompting protests from international non-governmental organizations and human rights campaigners. Unrest that began in several Near Eastern and North African countries in late December 2010 spread to several Libyan cities in early 2011. In March 2011, a Transitional National Council (TNC) was formed in Benghazi with the stated aim of overthrowing the QADHAFI regime and guiding the country to democracy. In response to QADHAFI's harsh military crackdown on protesters, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, which demanded an immediate ceasefire and authorized the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. After several months of see-saw fighting, anti-QADHAFI forces in August 2011 captured the capital, Tripoli. In mid-September, the UN General Assembly voted to recognize the TNC as the legitimate interim governing body of Libya. The TNC on 23 October officially declared the country liberated following the defeat of the last remaining pro-QADHAFI stronghold and QADHAFI's death. In July 2012, Libya held its first post-QADHAFI nationwide election, which resulted in the formation of a 200-member National Congress (NC). In August 2012, the NC elected a congress president and in October, a new prime minister.

Area

1,759,540 sq km 1,759,540 sq km 0 sq km

total

1,759,540 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Alaska

Climate

Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Coastline

1,770 km

Elevation extremes

Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

highest point

Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

lowest point

Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m

Environment - current issues

desertification; limited natural freshwater resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, brings water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) 730 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

730 cu m/yr (2000)

total

4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%)

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 17 00 E

Geography - note

more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert

Irrigated land

4,700 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

4,348 km Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

border countries

Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

total

4,348 km

Land use

1.03% 0.19% 98.78% (2005)

arable land

1.03%

other

98.78% (2005)

permanent crops

0.19%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north 62 nm

exclusive fishing zone

62 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Terrain

mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions

Total renewable water resources

0.6 cu km (1997)

Age structure

27.7% (male 795,748/ female 759,806) 68.4% (male 2,006,059/ female 1,834,119) 3.9% (male 111,144/ female 106,504) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

27.7% (male 795,748/ female 759,806)

15-64 years

68.4% (male 2,006,059/ female 1,834,119)

65 years and over

3.9% (male 111,144/ female 106,504) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

17.5 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.6% (2007)

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)

Health expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2001 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq)

Life expectancy at birth

77.83 years 75.5 years 80.27 years (2012 est.)

female

80.27 years (2012 est.)

total population

77.83 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 89.2% 95.6% 82.7% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

82.7% (2010 est.)

male

95.6%

total population

89.2%

Major cities - population

TRIPOLI (capital) 1.095 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

58 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

24.8 years 24.8 years 24.7 years (2012 est.)

female

24.7 years (2012 est.)

male

24.8 years

total

24.8 years

Nationality

Libyan(s) Libyan

adjective

Libyan

noun

Libyan(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

5,613,380 (July 2012 est.) includes 166,510 non-nationals

Population growth rate

2.007% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official) 97%, other 3%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97% of population rural: 96% of population total: 97% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 4% of population total: 3% of population

rural

4% of population

total

3% of population

urban

3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 16 years 17 years (2003)

female

17 years (2003)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.96 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.12 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

78% of total population (2010) 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

78% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

22 districts (shabiyat, singular - shabiyat); Al Butnan, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Al Jafarah, Al Jufrah, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Al Marqab, Al Wahat, An Nuqat al Khams, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghat, Misratah, Murzuq, Nalut, Sabha, Surt, Tarabulus, Wadi al Hayat, Wadi ash Shati

Capital

Tripoli (Tarabulus) 32 53 N, 13 10 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

32 53 N, 13 10 E

name

Tripoli (Tarabulus)

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

none; note - Libya has yet to draft a new constitution

Country name

none Libya none Libiya

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Libya

local long form

none

local short form

Libiya

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant) on 11 September 2012, US Ambassador STEVENS and three other American diplomats were killed in an attack by heavily armed militants on a US diplomatic post in the eastern city of Benghazi off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 [218] 91-220-3239

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant)

embassy

off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour

mailing address

US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850

telephone

[218] 91-220-3239

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 944-9601 [1] (202) 944-9060

chancery

2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI

FAX

[1] (202) 944-9060

telephone

[1] (202) 944-9601

Executive branch

the roles and structure of Libya's post-revolution government are in transition Prime Minister Ali ZAYDAN (since 14 October 2012) new cabinet approved by the National Congress on 31 October 2012 prime minister and National Congress president elected by the National Congress NA

cabinet

new cabinet approved by the National Congress on 31 October 2012

election results

NA

elections

prime minister and National Congress president elected by the National Congress

head of government

Prime Minister Ali ZAYDAN (since 14 October 2012)

note

the roles and structure of Libya's post-revolution government are in transition

Flag description

three horizontal bands of red (top), black (double width), and green with a white crescent and star centered on the black stripe; the National Transitional Council reintroduced this flag design of the former Kingdom of Libya (1951-1969) on 27 February 2011; it replaced the former all-green banner promulgated by the QADHAFI regime in 1977; the colors represent the three major regions of the country: red stands for Fezzan, black symbolizes Cyrenaica, and green denotes Tripolitania; the crescent and star represent Islam, the main religion of the country

three horizontal bands of red (top), black (double width), and green with a white crescent and star centered on the black stripe; the National Transitional Council reintroduced this flag design of the former Kingdom of Libya (1951-1969) on 27 February 201

red stands for Fezzan, black symbolizes Cyrenaica, and green denotes Tripolitania; the crescent and star represent Islam, the main religion of the country

Government type

operates under a transitional government

Independence

24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BDEAC, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

NA

Legal system

Libya's post-revolution legal system is in flux and driven by state and non-state entities

Legislative branch

unicameral National Congress (200 seats; 120 individual seats elected from 69 constituencies and 80 party list seats elected from 20 constituencies; member term NA) first National Congress election held on 7 July 2012 (next to be held NA) percent of vote for party list seats only - NFA 48.7%, JCP 21.3%, other parties 30%; list and constituent seats - NFA 39, JCP 17, other 24, independents 120

election results

percent of vote for party list seats only - NFA 48.7%, JCP 21.3%, other parties 30%; list and constituent seats - NFA 39, JCP 17, other 24, independents 120

elections

first National Congress election held on 7 July 2012 (next to be held NA)

National anthem

"Allahu Akbar" (God Is Greatest) Mahmoud el-SHERIF/Abdalla Shams el-DIN adopted 1969; the anthem was originally a battle song for the Egyptian Army in the 1956 Suez War

lyrics/music

Mahmoud el-SHERIF/Abdalla Shams el-DIN

name

"Allahu Akbar" (God Is Greatest)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 23 October (2011)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent; hawk

Political parties and leaders

includes some of the larger political parties and leaders Al-Watan (Homeland) Party; Justice and Construction Party or JCP [Muhammad SAWAN]; National Front (initially the National Front for the Salvation of Libya, formed in 1981 as a diaspora opposition group); National Forces Alliance [Mahmoud JIBRIL] (includes many political organizations, NGOs, and independents); Union for the Homeland [Abd al-Rahman al-SUWAYHILI]

note

includes some of the larger political parties and leaders

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

universal, adult

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle

Budget

$56.88 billion $51.41 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$51.41 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$56.88 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.52% (31 December 2010 est.) 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6% (31 December 2012 est.) 6% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$33.32 billion (2012 est.) $4.002 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.054 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.744 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Libya's economy is structured primarily around the nation's energy sector, which generates about 95% of export earnings, 80% of GDP, and 99% of government revenue. Substantial income from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but Tripoli largely has not used its significant financial resources to develop national infrastructure or the economy, leaving many citizens poor. In the final five years of Qadhafi's rule, Libya made some progress on economic reform as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and after Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy and banking sectors. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds drew high international interest, but new rounds are unlikely to be successful until Libya establishes a more permanent government and is able to offer increased security and more attractive financial terms on contracts. Libya's production of crude oil, at roughly 500,000 bbl/day, is far below the 2012 target of 3 million bbl/day set by the The National Oil Corporation (NOC). Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing its primarily socialist economy, but the revolution probably has unleashed previously restrained entrepreneurial activity and increased the potential for the evolution of a more market-based economy. The service and construction sectors, which account for roughly 20% of GDP, expanded over the past five years and could expand further if Tripoli prioritizes capital spending on development projects once political uncertainty subsides. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 80% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project.

Exchange rates

Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.257 (2012 est.) 1.224 (2011 est.) 1.2668 (2010 est.) 1.2535 (2009) 1.2112 (2008)

Exports

$51.48 billion (2012 est.) $15.16 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals

Exports - partners

Italy 22.8%, Germany 14.3%, France 14.2%, China 10.7%, Spain 5.2%, Tunisia 4.8% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

2% 40.1% 57.9% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2%

industry

40.1%

services

57.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,300 (2012 est.) $6,100 (2011 est.) $15,000 (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

121.9% (2012 est.) -59.7% (2011 est.) 3.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$85.11 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$87.91 billion (2012 est.) $39.62 billion (2011 est.) $98.28 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$16.31 billion (2012 est.) $10.07 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products

Imports - partners

Tunisia 13.3%, Turkey 9.1%, China 8.8%, Italy 8.4%, Egypt 6.7%, Syria 5.2%, France 4.9%, Germany 4.8% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

2.7% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2012 est.) 15.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

3.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.437 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

17% 23% 59% (2004 est.)

agriculture

17%

industry

23%

services

59% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA about one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty line

Public debt

1.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$130.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $105 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$42.39 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $44.76 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$17.47 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$41.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $38.98 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$38.21 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $41.16 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

66.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

60.6 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.039 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

502,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

48.08 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

24.29 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

124 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

73 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6.766 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

28.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

6.844 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

9.97 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

16.81 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.495 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

314,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

84,490 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

575.3 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

309,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-funded and private TV stations; some provinces operate local TV stations; pan-Arab satellite TV stations are available; state-funded radio (2012)

Internet country code

.ly

Internet hosts

17,926 (2012)

Internet users

353,900 (2009)

Telephone system

telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile-cellular telephone system became operational in 1996 multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has soared country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cable to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel

domestic

multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has soared

general assessment

telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile-cellular telephone system became operational in 1996

international

country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cable to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel

Telephones - main lines in use

1 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10 million (2011)

Airports

144 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

26

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

7

over 3,047 m

23

total

64

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

20 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

40

over 3,047 m

4

total

80

under 914 m

20 (2012)

Heliports

2 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 1 2 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1) 6 (Hong Kong 1, Malta 5) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1)

registered in other countries

6 (Hong Kong 1, Malta 5) (2010)

total

23

Pipelines

condensate 776 km; gas 3,216 km; oil 6,960 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Az Zawiyah, Marsa al Burayqah (Marsa el Brega), Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli

Roadways

100,024 km 57,214 km 42,810 km (2003)

total

100,024 km

unpaved

42,810 km (2003)

Manpower available for military service

1,775,078 1,714,194 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,714,194 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,775,078

Manpower fit for military service

1,511,144 1,458,934 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,458,934 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,511,144

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

59,547 57,070 (2010 est.)

female

57,070 (2010 est.)

male

59,547

Military branches

note - in transition; government attempting to staff a new national army with anti-QADAFI militia fighters and former members of QADAFI's military (2008)

Military expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Disputes - international

dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya

Refugees and internally displaced persons

3,100 (Iraq); 2,700 (Palestinian Territories) (2012) 73,937 (conflict between pro-Qadhafi and anti Qadhafi forces; figure does not include displaced third-country nationals) (2012)

IDPs

73,937 (conflict between pro-Qadhafi and anti Qadhafi forces; figure does not include displaced third-country nationals) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

3,100 (Iraq); 2,700 (Palestinian Territories) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; Libya has experienced internal unrest, stranding many foreign workers in the country under harsh and unsafe conditions Tier 3 - the Libyan Government failed to demonstrate significant efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses or to protect trafficking victims; the government's policies and practices with respect to undocumented migrant workers resulted in Libyan authorities also punishing trafficking victims for unlawful acts that were committed as a result of their being trafficked; following the outbreak of civil unrest in February 2011, accurate information regarding the situation in Libya has become very limited (2008)

current situation

Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; Libya has experienced internal unrest, stranding many foreign workers in the country under harsh and unsafe conditions

tier rating

Tier 3 - the Libyan Government failed to demonstrate significant efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses or to protect trafficking victims; the government's policies and practices with respect to undocumented migrant workers resulted in Libyan authorities also punishing trafficking victims for unlawful acts that were committed as a result of their being trafficked; following the outbreak of civil unrest in February 2011, accurate information regarding the situation in Libya has become very limited (2008)