As a result of the anti government protests in Libya that began in the February of 2011, the opposition gained control of one of the main cities in Libya. The government sent troops to take control again but they failed to do so. The country descended into a state of civil war, which had already been foreseen by the ruler of Libya. The UK, US and France intervened with plans to bomb the places and and supporters of the ruler, Gaddafi of Libya. By the end of August, Gaddafi's government was overthrown and a new government was put in its place.