Alternative History
Kingdom of Cyrenaica
المملكة برقة
Timeline: New Union

OTL equivalent: Cyrenaica
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Location of Cyrenaica
Location of Cyrenaica
Anthem "O my country!"
Capital Bayda (de jure)
Benghazi (de facto)
Other cities Ajdabiya, Derna, Tobruk
Language
  official
 
Arabic
  others Berber, English, Italian
Religion
  main
 
Sunni Islam
  others Anglicanism, Catholicism
Demonym Cyrenaican
Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
  Legislature Parliament
King Mohammed
Prime Minister Ahmed al-Senussi
Area 855,370 km²
Population 1,613,749 
Independence from Libya
  declared March 6, 2012
Currency Pound (CYP)
Internet TLD .cy

The Kingdom of Cyrenaica (Arabic: المملكة برقة, Al-Mamlakah Barqah), colloquially known as Cyrenaica (برقة, Barqah), is a sovereign state located in North Africa. Originally a part of neighboring Libya, Cyrenaica declared their independence in 2012 as part of the ongoing Libyan Civil War. With strong backing by the European Union and the United States, the nation re-established itself as a monarchy under the former Senussi Dynasty.

The historic province of Cyrenaica became a hotbed for revolution in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring protests. The subsequent civil war between rebels and the forces of Muammar Gaddafi resulted in an United Nations-backed no-fly zone over Libya (enforced by the European Union, the Soviet Union, and the United States). After a year of fighting, a stalemate was established, with rebels holding onto Cyrenaica and Gaddafi holding onto the west. Following a coup d'état (headed by Gaddafi's son, Mutassim Gaddafi), the new Libyan government began the process of establishing a ceasefire. Since 2012, Libya has partially recognized the independence of Cyrenaica, though still considers it a part of Libya.

Senussi-426-130167335864638300

King Mohammed of Cyrenaica.

Cyrenaica is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The King of Cyrenaica is Mohammed El Senussi, who is the grandson of the former King of Libya, Idris I. Despite emulating the historic Kingdom of Libya, the current leadership of Cyrenaica have established a Westminster system (on par with the United Kingdom). The Parliament of Cyrenaica consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate (which are modeled on the British House of Commons and House of Lords, respectively). The House of Representatives are democratically elected, with Ahmed al-Senussi (who is also a member of the Senussi family) being Prime Minister.