K. V. MESHCHERINA, Post-Graduate Student, Institute Of Africa, Russian Academy Of Sciences Keywords: Libya, armed groups, radical Islamists, provinces, federalism, oil export Despite the fact that three years have passed since one of the culminating moments of the "revolution" in Libya - the siege of the capital Tripoli by armed rebel groups at the end of August 2011 - the circumstances of this event and its significance for understanding the processes of the Libyan crisis are very important. All three major cities in Libya-Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata-were then under the control of opposition forces. Your trust in the Transitional National Council (TNC) As the only legitimate authority in the country, many States expressed their support (but a number of countries recognized it long before the fall of Tripoli), followed by the restoration of Libya's membership in the Arab League 1. In connection with the establishment of control over the Libyan capital, the then head of the NTC executive committee, Mahmoud Jibril, made a speech on local Libyan television: "Today, all cities in Libya have become equal, we are making history together, because we suffered equally from the 42-year dictatorship. The Libyan people will work together to build a new future through the Constitution. Libya will be an example for the Arab." The NTC called for the creation of a government in the country and the holding of free elections (here and further - author's italics). The assault on Tripoli is considered by most international military observers to be a pre-planned military action of NATO forces, in which fighters of a foreign military contingent, in particular British special forces, participated. According to The Telegraph newspaper, this information was first confirmed by the British Ministry of Defense 3. It is worth noting that the events of the end of August 2011 were viewed ambiguously by some researchers. The point of view was exaggerated about misinformation about what is happe ... Read more