One of the capital cities of Libya; Also called: capital of Libya.
Or Banghazi; Historic city and industrial port in N Libya on the Gulf of Sirte; It was controlled by Turkey between the 16th century and 1911, and by Italy 1911–42; it was a major naval supply base during World War II.
Colonized by the Greeks in the 7th century BC (as Euhesperides), Benghazi was taken by Rome in the 1st century BC (renamed Berenice) and by the Vandals in the 5th century AD. It became Arab in the 7th century. With Tripoli, it was co-capital of Libya 1951–72.
During World War II, the city was an important Allied objective in the North African campaign. It changed hands so frequently during 1941–42 that the advances and retreats across the desert became known as the “Benghazi Handicaps” by British troops. It was finally captured by the British during the advance after the victory at El Alamein Nov 1942 and so deprived the Italians of a vital supply port.