Muammar Gaddafi

Muammar Gaddafi led a group of young military officers in a bloodless coup against King Idris I. The Free Officers Movement seized control of the government, ending the Libyan monarchy and establishing the Libyan Arab Republic with Gaddafi as its de facto leader.

Gaddafi's government nationalized foreign oil companies operating in Libya, taking majority control of oil production. This policy dramatically increased state revenues and gave Libya leverage in international affairs, funding social programs and military expansion.

Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. Libyan intelligence agents were later implicated. Gaddafi's government initially refused to extradite suspects, leading to UN sanctions and international isolation for Libya.

Gaddafi announced Libya's decision to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs and allow international inspections. This move led to the lifting of UN sanctions and a normalization of relations with Western countries, including the United States.

During the Arab Spring, a popular uprising escalated into a civil war. NATO forces intervened militarily. Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebel forces near Sirte on October 20, 2011, ending his 42-year rule and plunging Libya into prolonged instability.