Idris of Libya
Idris (born Muhammad Idris bin Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Sanusi on 13 March 1890, died 25 May 1983) was the king of Libya from 24 December 1951 until he was overthrown in the 1969 revolution. He led the United Kingdom of Libya from 1951 to 1963, after which the country was renamed the Kingdom of Libya. Before becoming king, Idris served as Emir of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania from the 1920s until 1951, and he also led the Sanusi order.
Born into the Senussi Order at its headquarters in Al-Jaghbub, Idris took over as its leader in 1916 after his cousin Ahmed Sharif as-Senussi stepped down. At the time, the Senussi were fighting the British and Italians in the Senussi campaign. Idris ended the fighting and, through the Modus vivendi of Acroma, gave up Ottoman protection. Between 1919 and 1920, Italy recognized Senussi control over most of Cyrenaica in exchange for Idris recognizing Italian sovereignty. He then led an unsuccessful attempt to conquer eastern Tripolitania from the Tripolitanian Republic.
After World War II, the United Nations called for Libya’s independence. The United Kingdom of Libya was created by merging Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan, with Idris appointed as its king. He held significant political power in the poor country, banned political parties, and in 1963 replaced Libya’s federal system with a unitary state. Idris built ties with Western powers, allowing the United Kingdom and the United States to set up military bases in Libya in return for economic aid. Following the discovery of oil in 1959, he oversaw the growth of an oil industry that quickly boosted the economy. His rule weakened as Arab nationalist and socialist ideas spread in Libya, along with frustration over widespread corruption and close Western ties. While in Turkey for medical treatment, Idris was deposed in the 1969 revolution led by army officers under Muammar Gaddafi.
- field
- Monarch, religious leader
- nationality
- Libyan
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Idris was born at Al-Jaghbub, the headquarters of the Senussi movement, on 12 March 1889 (though some sources give 1890), a son of Sayyid Muhammad al-Mahdi bin Sayyid Muhammad al-Senussi and his third wife Aisha bint Muqarrib al-Barasa. He was a grandson of Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi, the founder of the Senussi Muslim Sufi Order. In 1916, Idris became chief of the Senussi order following the abdication of his cousin Sayyid Ahmed Sharif es Senussi. He put a stop to armed attacks against British forces and established a tacit alliance with the British Empire. Through the Modus vivendi of Acroma, he abandoned Ottoman protection. In October 1920, the Accord of al-Rajma gave Idris the title of Emir of Cyrenaica and permitted him to administer autonomously the oases around Kufra, Jalu, Jaghbub, Awjila, and Ajdabiya. He was also installed as Emir of Tripolitania on 28 July 1922. Fearing Italian retaliation under Fascist leader Benito Mussolini, Idris went into exile in the Kingdom of Egypt in December 1922. During the Second World War, he supported the United Kingdom against Italy, hoping to free Libya from Italian occupation. A Libyan Arab Force of five infantry battalions was established to aid the British war effort.
Reader's Guide
Idris's leadership of the Senussi Order provided a unifying religious and political authority in Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. After the Second World War, the United Nations General Assembly called for Libya to be granted independence, establishing the United Kingdom of Libya through the unification of Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan, appointing Idris to rule it as king. He banned political parties and, in 1963, replaced Libya's federal system with a unitary state. He allowed the United Kingdom and United States to open military bases in the country in return for economic aid. After oil was discovered in Libya in 1959, he oversaw the emergence of a growing oil industry that rapidly aided economic growth. Idris's regime was weakened by growing Arab nationalist and Arab socialist sentiment as well as rising frustration at high levels of corruption and close links with Western nations. While in Turkey for medical treatment, Idris was deposed in the 1969 Libyan revolution led by army officers under Muammar Gaddafi.
Did You Know?
- Idris was born at Al-Jaghbub, the headquarters of the Senussi movement, on 12 March 1889 (though some sources give 1890).
- He was recognized by the British under the title 'emir' of Cyrenaica in 1916, a position also confirmed by the Italians in 1920.
- In October 1920, the Accord of al-Rajma gave Idris a monthly stipend from the Italian government and allowed him to administer five oases autonomously.
- During the Second World War, a Libyan Arab Force of five infantry battalions was established to aid the British war effort.
- Idris was deposed in the 1969 Libyan revolution while in Turkey for medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Idris of Libya's roles and responsibilities?
Before ascending to the throne, he governed Cyrenaica and Tripolitania as Emir and simultaneously led the Sanusi Sufi order. His authority therefore blended political sovereignty over the new Libyan state with spiritual leadership of a major religious brotherhood.
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