User:Montys Foxhounds

Soluch was the birthplace of Omar Muhktar better known as the Lion of the Desert. Teacher by profession resistance fighter by obligation. After the 1911 Italian invasion of Libya, Omar Muhktar became the leader of the Libyan Resistance, attacking Italian forces where-ever he could find them and then disappearing back into the desert. Despite having thousands of troops, tanks and aircraft the Italians were continually embarrassed by these "mere bedouins". Eventually Mussolini sent General "the butcher" Graziani to deal with Omar Muhktar and his men. Despite the most inhuman methods adopted by the Italians, Muhktar continued to evade capture. Finally in 1931 Omar Muhktar was captured in an area known as the Green Mountains, he was quickly tried and returned to Soluch where he was hanged in front of his own people. Suprisingly I have found only one company Western Desert Battlefield Tours(www.western-desert.de)that has a specially arranged tour to Libya based on the life of Omar Muhktar - the Lion of the Desert. It appears to be a fascinating tour and one well worth joining.