Making history in Libya: the events that shaped the country

2011

Feb. 15, 2011: Protests demanding the toppling of the regime kick off in Benghazi.

Feb. 19, 2011: Protests spread to other cities, including Tripoli, and Qaddafi’s forces lose control of Benghazi.

March 1, 2011: The National Transitional Council (NTC) is established in Benghazi to manage the liberated areas.

March 17, 2011: The U.N. Security Council issues Resolution 1973 imposing a no-fly zone on Libya and allowing the use of force to protect civilians.

March 31, 2011: NATO officially announces it will orchestrate air raids on Libya.

April 29, 2011: Qaddafi delivers a speech urging NATO to negotiate and halt the air strikes and accuses the coalition forces of killing civilians and destroying infrastructure.

August 20, 2011: Rebels seize control of Tripoli.

Oct. 20, 2011: Qaddafi was killed by rebel forces shortly after he was captured.

Oct. 23, 2011: The NTC announces the liberation of Libya from the Qaddafi regime.
Nov. 22, 2011: Prime minister-designate Abdelrahman al-Keib forms a transitional cabinet.

2012

April 27, 2012: The NTC sacks Keib’s government citing lack of competency.

July 7, 2012: Libya elects the General National Congress (GNC).

August 9, 2012: The NTC hands authority to the GNC.

Oct. 15, 2012: The GNC assigns Ali Zeidan the mission of forming a cabinet after Mustafa Abu Shakour fails to form one.

Nov. 14, 2012: Zeidan’s government is sworn in.

2013

May 5, 2013: The GNC issues the political isolation law, which forbids senior figures under the former regime from political participation and public functions.

Oct. 10, 2013: An armed group briefly abducts interim-Prime Minister Ali Zeidan before releasing him.

Dec. 17, 2013: The GNC issues a decision to dissolve armed groups and seeks to rid Tripoli of militias.

2014

Feb. 1, 2014: Massive protests are held against the decision to extend the GNC’s term.

Feb. 7, 2014: The GNC’s term ends, in line with the constitutional declaration issued in August 2011.

Feb. 15, 2014: Libyan expats begin voting for the constitutional assembly.

Feb. 18, 2014: Al-Qaaqaa and al-Sawaaq militias grant GNC members five hours to step down or be detained.

Source: Al Arabiya Institue for Studies