@UnfitToPrintUnfit To Print
the 2 ethnic groups put aside differences "Joint fight w/ Arabs against Kadafi spurs Berber hopes of equality in #Libya"http://goo.gl/T99at
As the two ethnic groups in the mountainous portion of Libya's west put aside long-held differences, at stake may be more than the fate of the communities along a sparsely populated range.
 Libyan rebel fighters train in the Nafusa Mountain region, where Berber and Arab towns rely on one another for survival. (Zohra Bensemra, Reuters / July17, 2011) |
Family life is important for Libyan families, the majority of which live in apartment blocksand other independent housing units, with precise modes of housing depending on their income and wealth. Although the Libyan Arabs traditionally lived nomadic lifestyles in tents, they have now settled in various towns and cities.[201] Because of this, their old ways of life are gradually fading out. An unknown small number of Libyans still live in the desert as their families have done for centuries. Most of the population has occupations in industry and services, and a small percentage is in agriculture.
According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Libya hosted a population ofrefugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 16,000 in 2007. Of this group, approximately 9,000 persons were from the FormerPalestine, 3,200 from Sudan, 2,500 from Somalia and 1,100 from Iraq.[202] Libya reportedly deported thousands of illegal entrants in 2007 without giving them the opportunity to apply for asylum. Refugees faced discrimination from Libyan officials when moving in the country and seeking employment.[202] There are about 140 tribes and clans in Libya.[200]
