The Libyan-Arab-Jamahiriya was the official name of Libya from 1977 until 2011 under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi. Here are key details regarding this period:
History and Context
- Establishment: In 1977, Gaddafi declared the establishment of the Jamahiriya, which translates from Arabic as "state of the masses" or "people's republic". This was part of his vision to implement his Third International Theory, which was meant to be an alternative to both capitalism and communism.
- Political Structure: The Libyan-Arab-Jamahiriya was characterized by a unique political system where traditional governmental structures were replaced by People's Congresses and People's Committees. These bodies were intended to allow direct democracy, although in practice, real power was centralized around Gaddafi and his loyalists.
- Foreign Policy: The Jamahiriya period was marked by Gaddafi's active role in international politics, often positioning Libya against Western interests. This included support for various revolutionary and terrorist groups, leading to Libya's isolation and eventual UN sanctions due to the Lockerbie Bombing.
- Economic Policies: Gaddafi attempted to diversify Libya's economy, focusing on agriculture and industrialization, although oil remained the dominant sector. The Great Man-Made River project was one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken to provide water to the desert regions.
- Downfall: The Libyan-Arab-Jamahiriya came to an end during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, where widespread protests against Gaddafi's regime, inspired by the Arab Spring, led to a NATO-backed intervention. Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in October 2011, marking the end of the Jamahiriya system.
Notable Events
- Green Book: Gaddafi published the The Green Book, outlining his political philosophy and the principles of the Jamahiriya.
- UN Sanctions: Libya faced international sanctions in the 1990s due to its alleged involvement in terrorist acts, notably the Lockerbie bombing.
- Rehabilitation: In the early 2000s, Libya took steps to reconcile with the international community, renouncing terrorism and agreeing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction programs.
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