Libya's Hidden Pages of History - A Memoir

A Memoir

Former Prime Minister of Libya in the 1950s, Mustafa Ben-Halim experienced at first hand the stormy political life of the newly independent monarchy. He had been described as one of the greatest leaders of Libya's political history. While working tirelessly to guard his country against the intrigues of Britain and France (their plotting confirmed in secret official documents from the day), Mr Ben-Halim sought to build ties with neighbouring states. He established a close rapport with President Abdel Nasser of Egypt and tried to mediate between Cairo and London in the build-up to the Suez crisis. With Libya back in the headlines, this frank autobiography provides a rare personal glimpse into a formative period of the country's history.

Essential Reading:

Documents and files published for the first time and which have been released now after decades of secrecy
Highly engaging story of a former Libyan prime minister
Will appeal to people interested in Libya’s politics of the 20th century
Libyan history
Middle East history

Chapters

The Road to the Premiership
The Political Situation in Cyrenaica Late 1940s - Early 1950s
The Fall of the Muntasir Government
The Constitutional Crisis of 1954: I Form a Government
The Political Inclinations of King Idris
The Assassination of the Head of the Royal Household
Constitutional Reforms
The Strengthening of National Independence
The Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness with France
The Story of Oil
The Algerian Revolution and Libya's Role in its Support
Libya and the Tripartite Aggression against Egypt
Repercussions of the Tripartite Aggression
The Final Crisis Before
The Last Years of the Monarchy and the Coup of September 1969