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Zuwarah

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For the city in Iran with the same Arabic name, see Zavareh.
Zuwara
زوارة
City
Country Libya
RegionTripolitania
Elevation
[1]
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2004)[2]
 • Total180,310
Time zoneUTC+2

Zuwara /zʊˈwɑːrə/ (Arabic: زوارة, Berber: Tamurt n Wat Willul)[3] is a port city in northwestern Libya, with a population of around 180,000, famous for its beautiful beaches and abundant seafood. It is situated 102 kilometres (63 mi) west of Tripoli and 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the Tunisian border. It is the capital of the Nuqat al Khams district. Its population belongs to the Ibadi branch of Islam, and speaks Zuwara Berber, a Zenati Berber language.

History

The Amazigh tribe of Zwara was cited by al-Bakri in the 11th century, together with Louata, Lemaya, Nefusa, Mezata and Zouagha, as a tribe dwelling in the surroundings of the Gulf of Gabès.

The settlement was first mentioned by the traveller al-Tidjani in the years 1306-1309 as Zwara al-saghirah ("Little Zwarah").[4] In a Catalan sailing manual (1375) it was called as Punta dar Zoyara. The town is mentioned by Leo Africanus in the 16th century. It later served as the western outpost of Italian Libya (1912–43), being the terminus of the now-defunct Italian Libya Railway from Tripoli 105 kilometres (65 mi) to the east. Its artificial harbour shelters a motorized fishing fleet. Cereals, dates, and esparto grass (used to make cordage, shoes, and paper) are local products.

Cultural revolution

In 1973, it was here in Zuwara that Muammar Gaddafi first proclaimed the Libyan "Cultural Revolution".

Libyan revolution

Further information: Libyan revolution

In the Libyan revolution battles, the city was reported[by whom?] to be under control of the local anti-Gaddafi forces on 23 February 2011, and lost by the government of Muammar Gaddafi.[5] Thousands of anti-government protesters, gathered in the Zuwara town square on 24 February, repulsed another Libyan Army attempt to retake the city. Loyalist forces used the pro-government towns of Jumayl and Riqdalin to the south as bases for their attacks on the city.[6] However, from March onwards, the city was under the control of loyalist forces.[7] Amidst the August rebel coastal offensive, rebels took Zuwara on 18 August.[8]

In September 2011, and following the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Zuwara was the first town in Libya to democratically elect its local council.[9]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Wolfram Alpha
  2. ^ Wolfram Alpha
  3. ^ Mitchell (2007: 29, 195).
  4. ^ "Voyage du Scheikh Et-Tidjani dans la régence de Tunis pendant les années 706, 707 et 708 de l'hégire (1306-1309)", transl. by M. A. Rousseau, Journal Asiatique 1853, p. 121.
  5. ^ "Live Blog - Libya Feb 24". Al Jazeera English. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  6. ^ Draper, Robert (February 2013). "New Old Libya". National Geographic. p. 46.
  7. ^ NPR; "Militias In Libya Attack Protesters"; February 24, 2011; Accessed 2001-02-24.
  8. ^ "Rebels claim control of Libya's last functioning oil refinery". The Washington Post. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  9. ^ "The voice of Libya's minorities"; November, 2011

Sources

  • Terence Frederick Mitchell, Ferhat. An Everyday Story of Berber Folk in and around Zuara (Libya), Köln, Köppe, 2007 - ISBN 978-3-89645-396-9
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