#2 Italy more or less followed the outline of the Roman provinces of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, while adding another, the Fezzan to cover the desert south. Under King Idris, Libya was divided into three governorates, all with capitals on the Med: Tripoli to the west, Al-Khalij in the center, and Benghzi to the east. Tripoli contained the large southern area including the Sabha oasis. Al Khalij contained the al-Kufra oasis and much of the Fezzan. Benghazi extended very little into the Sahil, extending only as far south as Al Jaghbub the King's favored settlement.
When Qadaffi came to power he initiated a series of changes in internal boundaries that began on 29 July 1970 and created eleven governorates. The issue now at hand is what constitutes Cyrenaica? The Islamist powers that control its ancient capital at Benghazi not only want independence, they want the most extensive boundary possible. Thus, should independence occur, the result would be boundary disputes (and warfare) for decades to come. |