Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Ottoman Turks, and Italians— all laid claim to Libya until its independence in 1951. This evening, examine modern Libya's search for political identity and economic stability through its long history up to its recent re-establishment of diplomatic ties with the United States.

The Phoenicians were the first to establish trading posts on Libya’s Mediterranean coast. The Greeks, following a Delphic oracle’s command to establish settlements in North Africa, founded the city of Cyrene in the 7th century B.C. Romans developed the North African province's vast agricultural resources. Byzantines and Ottoman Turks contributed to the now-diverse culture.

The evening also looks at modern Libya, beginning with the Italian occupation of 1911 and the later United Kingdom of Libya under King Idris. It concludes with the military coup of Muammar al-Gaddafi in 1969 and the current quest to re-establish spheres of influence in the Arab, African, and developing worlds.

Middle Eastern scholar Kathryn Coughlin is president of Global Research Group, Inc.

CODE: 1J0-522