Italian refugees from Libya Italy and soon most of them emigrated in the early 1950s to the Americas (mainly to Canada, Venezuela, Argentina and the United States) and to western Europe (France, Benelux, etc..). After several years under British mandate, on December 24, 1951 Libya declared its independence as the United Kingdom of Libya (a constitutional, hereditary monarchy under King Idris). In 1952 started the exodus of most of the remaining Italian colonial settlers, mainly those in areas away from the main cities. Although in the late 1950s most of the 110000 Italians living in 1940 Italian Libya had already left the former colony,
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