1. The Libyan civil war, also referred to as the Libyan revolution[36] was a 2011 armed conflict in
the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and
those seeking to ousthis government.
The popular uprising against the government of Gaddafi began in January 2011 as non-violent
protests, simultaneously
with other protests in the Arab Spring. Within weeks, violence broke out in clashes between
police and protesters.[1][2] In
February, the National Transitional Council (NTC) was formed in an effort to consolidate efforts
for change in the rule of
Libya.[3] Gaddafi forces lost control of several cities in eastern Libya,[3] and a number of
officials resigned or defected
from his government.[4] In March, Gaddafi forces launched a counteroffensive, and regained
many of the cities that had
been lost to opposition forces.[5]
Throughout the conflict, rebels rejected government offers of a ceasefire and efforts by
the African Union to end the fighting because the plans set forth did not include the removal of
Gaddafi.[45]
In Bayda and Zintan, hundreds of protesters in each town called for an end to the Gaddafi
government and set fire to police and security buildings.[118][121] In Zintan, the protesters set
up tents in the town centre.[118] The armed protests continued the following day in
Benghazi, Derna and Bayda. Hundreds gathered at Maydan al-Shajara in Benghazi, and
authorities tried to disperse protesters with water cannons.[122]
Protesters torched a number of government buildings, including a police station. [125]
[126] In Tripoli, television and public radio stations had been sacked, and protesters set fire to
security buildings, Revolutionary Committee offices, the interior ministry building, and
the People's Hall.[127][128]
On 18 February, police and army personnel later withdrew from Benghazi after being
overwhelmed by protesters.
In August, rebel forces launched an offensive on the government-held coast of Libya, taking
back territory lost months before and ultimately capturing the capital city of Tripoli.[47] On 16

2. September 2011, the National Transitional Council was recognised by the United Nations as the
legal representative of Libya, replacing the Gaddafi government. Muammar Gaddafi remained
at large until 20 October 2011, when he was captured and killed attempting to escape
from Sirte.[48] The National Transitional Council "declared the liberation of Libya" and the
official end of the war on 23 October 2011.[49]
Amidst the aftermath of the civil war, a low-level insurgency by former Gaddafi loyalists still
continued. There have been various disagreements and strife between local militia and tribes,
including 23 January 2012 fighting in the former Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid, leading to an
alternative town council being established and later recognized by the NTC.[50][51]