QADDAFI Muammar al

(p. 1942)
Born in Libya in the family of semi-nomadic tribe of shepherds from the al-kaddadifa. After graduating from high school, entered the University of Libya, and then to the Libyan military academy. Trained in a military school in Bounington-Heath (England). In his student years, created a secret organization 'Free Officers Unionists, Socialists', which, like the organization of Gamal Abdel Nasser's 'Free Officers', set out to seize power.
In September 1969 Captain Qaddafi and his followers overthrew the regime of King Idris al-Sanusi, and declared Libya an Arab republic. As head of the Revolutionary Command Council, and became the commander of the armed forces, Gaddafi has been removed from the territory of Libya by British and American bases and established a close relationship with Abdel Nasser.

In the early 1970's Qaddafi tried to create a federation with Egypt, Syria and Tunisia, supported the armed actions of the PLO. Beginning in 1973, gradually distanced himself from Egypt, in 1977 opposed the course of Anwar Sadat in making peace with Israel. Qadhafi government has consistently supported extremist groups in Palestine, rejected the possibility of negotiations with Israel.

In Libya, Gaddafi has established a regime based on the Popular Committees and the Assembly in March 1977 proclaimed a 'state of the masses' (dzhamakiriyu). As president, banned all political organizations other than their own Arab Socialist Union (ACC). In 1973, nationalized all the oil companies and banks with foreign capital. After 1974 Gaddafi made a doctrine of 'Islamic socialism'.

In 1979, Gaddafi has resigned from his post as president, stating his intention to work towards 'a continuation of the revolution', but remained with the dominant political figure in the country. In the 1980's under pressure from the opposition has taken steps to liberalize the economy and a series of administrative reforms to reduce military spending, . especially after the fall of oil prices and the withdrawal of Libyan troops from the area Aouzou in Chad, . which Libya had occupied in 1973,
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In foreign policy the regime of Gaddafi has supported terrorist organizations, especially the Pan-Islamic wing. His Government also supported the Irish Republican Army, Muslim rebels in the Philippines and the African National Congress. In April 1986 the U.S. launched bombing several localities in Libya. In 1980 the name of Gaddafi was associated with a number of terrorist acts, including the explosion of a passenger airliner over Scotland in 1989, killing 259 people. After refusing to extradite suspects Gaddafi in this action against the Libyan regime was imposed economic sanctions. In 1999 the Government of Libya finally agreed to the extradition of two men for trial in the Netherlands, which found one of the defendants guilty of the deaths of passengers over Lockerbie. After renditions sanctions regime was lifted the UN, but upheld by the United States.