Early Life and Rise to Power
- Birth and Background: Born in 1942 near Sirte, Libya, to a Bedouin family, Gaddafi grew up in poverty but excelled academically, studying at the University of Libya before joining the military.
- 1969 Coup: Inspired by Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Arab nationalism, he led a bloodless coup at 27, overthrowing King Idris I and establishing the Libyan Arab Republic.
Domestic Policies and Governance
(1). The Green Book & Jamahiriya:
- Authored *The Green Book* (1975), outlining his "Third International Theory," rejecting capitalism and communism in favor of a decentralized "state of the masses" (Jamahiriya).
(2). Social and Economic Reforms:
- Free Healthcare & Education: Libya achieved high literacy rates (83%) and universal healthcare under his rule.
- Subsidies: Free electricity, interest-free loans, and housing grants for newlyweds ($50,000) were provided.
- Oil Wealth Redistribution: Nationalized oil in 1973, funding infrastructure like the Great Man-Made River project.
Foreign Relations and Controversies
- Anti-Western Stance:
- Expelled U.S./UK military bases (1970) and supported militant groups (IRA, PLO, Black Panthers).
- Sanctioned for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing (Pan Am Flight 103), though he later admitted responsibility.
- African Leadership:
- Championed pan-Africanism, funding the African Union and the RASCOM satellite (reducing communication costs continent-wide).
- Briefly served as AU chairman (2009) but faced resistance for seeking an extended term.
Downfall and Death
- 2011 Arab Spring Uprising:
- Protests erupted in Benghazi after Tunisia and Egypt’s revolutions. Gaddafi’s violent crackdown (airstrikes on civilians) triggered NATO intervention.
- Killed by rebels in Sirte on October 20, 2011, ending his 42-year rule.
Legacy
- Mixed Perceptions:
- Praise: Improved living standards, anti-imperialism, and African unity initiatives.
- Criticism: Brutal repression, terrorism links, and economic stagnation post-1980s.
- Posthumous Impact: Libya descended into chaos post-Gaddafi, with ongoing civil strife.
Key Quotes
- "People who have lived without oil for 5,000 years can live without it again for a few years to attain their rights."
- "The UN Security Council is no different from al-Qaeda." (2009 UN speech)
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