Idris I

Idris I, 1890–1983, king of Libya (1951–69). A grandson of the founder of the Sanusi Muslim sect, he became leader of the group in 1917. He was acknowledged (1920) by the Italians as emir of Cyrenaica but had to flee to Egypt in 1922 after quarreling with the Italian Fascists. He was restored to power by the British (1943) and became Libya's first king when independence was granted (1951). Deposed in a military coup (1969) by Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi, he went into exile in Egypt.

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Idris I

 in full Sidi Muhammad Idris al-Mahdi al-Sanusi

(born March 13, 1890, Jarabub, Cyrenaica, Libya—died May 25, 1983, Cairo, Egypt) King of Libya (1951–69). He succeeded his father in 1902 as leader of Cyrenaica but did not rule in his own name until 1916. Negotiations with Italy, which held the Libyan coast, resulted in agreements that confirmed Idris's authority (1917) and established a parliament (1919). His refusal to disarm his tribal supporters, however, led to Italy's invasion of Tripolitania in 1922, and Idris went into exile until after World War II (1939–45). In 1949 Cyrenaica and the other two Libyan provinces united under a constitutional monarchy headed by Idris. Independence was declared in 1951. He was overthrown by Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi in a military coup in 1969.