Libya
Waging Peace
The July 7, 2012, elections mark a pivotal moment in Libya's history as the country transitions from authoritarianism to democratic governance. For the past few decades under Muammar Qaddafi's governance, Libya was a self-declared form of government called a Jamahiriya, where the country supposedly implemented a form of direct democracy by people's committees. Political parties were banned and the government strictly monitored political activity; organizing or joining a political party could result in a long prison term or death sentence.
QUICK FACTS: LIBYA
Size: 1,759,540 square kilometers
Population: 6,733,620
Population below poverty line: NA
(Note: About one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty line)
Religions: Sunni Muslim (official) 97 percent; other 3 percent
Life expectancy: 78 years
Literacy: 83 percent
Languages: Arabic (official), Italian, English
Average annual income: $14,100 USD (2010 est.)
Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97 percent; other 3 percent (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)
(Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook 2012; The World Bank 2006)
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