Italian settlers in Libya terms of the 1947 peace treaty with the Allies, Italy relinquished all claims to Libya. On November 21, 1949, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent before January 1, 1952. On December 24, 1951, Libya declared its independence as the United Kingdom of Libya, a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. The Italian population virtually disappeared after the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi ordered the expulsion of remaining Italians (about 20,000) in 1970. Only a few hundred of them have been allowed to return to Libya in the 2000s. On 30 August 2008, Gaddafi and Italian Prime
Line of succession to the former Italian throne Line of succession to the former Italian throne The Italian monarchy was abolished in June 1946 following a referendum which established a republic. The present pretender is in dispute between Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples and Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta. Vittorio Emanuele is the son of the last king, Umberto II and was regarded as the head of the House of Savoy unopposed until 7 July 2006 when the Duke of Aosta declared himself to be the head of the house and Duke of Savoy. The heirs to his claim, in order of succession, are numbered below: The Duke