Muammar Gaddafi

Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi (c. 1942 – 20 October 2011), commonly known as Colonel Gaddafi, is a Libyan revolutionary and politician who de facto rules Libya for 42 years.

Taking power in a 1969 coup d'etat, he rules as Revolutionary Chairman of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then as the "Brother Leader" of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011, when he is ousted in the Libyan civil war.

Politically an Arab nationalist and Arab socialist, he governs the country according to his own ideology, Third International Theory, later embracing Pan-Africanism and serving as Chairperson of the African Union from 2009 to 2010.

The son of an impoverished Bedouin goatherder, Gaddafi becomes involved in politics while at school in Sabha, subsequently enrolling in the Royal Military Academy, Benghazi.

Founding a revolutionary cell within the military, in 1969 they seize power from King Idris in a bloodless coup.

Becoming Chairman of the governing Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), he dissolves the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic.

Ruling by decree, he implements measures to remove what he views as foreign imperialist influence from Libya, and strengthen ties to Arab nationalist governments.

Intent on pushing Libya toward "Islamic socialism", he introduces sharia as the basis for the legal system and nationalizes the oil industry, using the increased revenues to bolster the military, implement social programs and fund revolutionary militants across the world.

In 1973 he initiates a "Popular Revolution" with the formation of General People's Committees (GPCs), a system of direct democracy, but retains personal control over major decisions.

He outlines his Third International Theory that year, publishing these ideas in The Green Book.

In 1977, he dissolvesthe Republic and creates the Jamahiriya, a "state of the masses" part-governed by GPCs.

Officially adopting a symbolic role in governance, he retains power as military commander-in-chief and head of the Revolutionary Committees responsible for policing and suppressing opponents.

Overseeing unsuccessful border conflicts with Egypt and Chad, Gaddafi's support for foreign militants lead to Libya's label of "international pariah".

A particularly hostile relationship develops with the United States and United Kingdom, resulting in the 1986 U.S. bombing of Libya and United Nations-imposed economic sanctions.

From 1999, Gaddafi encourages economic privatization, pan-African integration, and seeks better relations with the West.

In 2011, an anti-Gaddafist uprising led by the National Transitional Council (NTC) breaks out, resulting in civil war.

NATO intervenes militarily on the side of the NTC, resulting in the government's downfall.

Retreating to Sirte, Gaddafi is captured and killed by NTC rebels.

Gaddafi is a controversial and highly divisive world figure.

Supporters laud his anti-imperialist stance and his support for pan-africanism and pan-arabism, and he is decorated with various awards.

Conversely, he is internationally condemned as a dictator and autocrat whose authoritarian administration violates the human rights of Libyan citizens and supports international terrorism.

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