- A country of northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea. It achieved independence in 1951 and became an important oil producer during the 1960's. Libya has been ruled by Muammar al-Qaddafi since 1969. Tripoli is the capital and the largest city. Population, 3,096,000.利比亚：北非的一个国家，位于地中海沿岸。1951年获得独立，在20世纪60年代成为重要的石油生产国。自1969年起，利比亚处于穆阿马尔阿尔·卡扎菲的统治之下。首都的黎波里是第一大城市。人口3,096,000