The relations between Italy and the Islamic world in the 20th century have always been very close, even through the political changes that succeeded one another starting from the Libyan War in 1911, after which Italy took control of a totally Islamic country, during a decidedly pro-Arab, anti-British Fascism, and ending in the close ties that united the republican governments with the most important Arab states, sometimes creating problems with the Jewish world. Typical of the latter phase was the activity carried on by Mattei, in contrast with the policy of the major oil companies.