The book gives a brief overview of the history of ancient and medieval Libya, its conquest by the Ottoman Empire, then Italy. Different stages of the country's existence as an independent state are covered in detail. But the main attention is paid to the civil war that has unfolded there since 2011, and the role of Western Europe in this endless war. The publication is designed for students - political scientists and orientalists, as well as for a wide readership interested in events in North Africa and the Middle East.