What happened in 2011:
- February: Anti-government protests erupted in Libya, inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings. Muammar Gaddafi, the country's leader, responded with violent repression.
- March: The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1973, authorizing the use of force to "protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack in Libya."
- March-October: A coalition of countries, including France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and NATO, launched airstrikes and provided logistical support to Libyan rebel forces.
- August: Rebel forces captured Tripoli, Gaddafi's stronghold, and he was forced to flee.
- October: Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebel forces.
The French military intervention in Libya played a significant role in the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi and the end of his 42-year rule. However, the intervention also contributed to the destabilization of Libya, which has been plagued by civil conflict, political instability, and violence since 2011.