Muammar Gaddafi Biography

The Revolutionary Command Council abolishes the monarchy and proclaims the Libyan Arab Republic.

Young army officers seize state institutions and establish the Revolutionary Command Council.

The Revolutionary Command Council issues a provisional constitutional proclamation for the republic.

Libya pressures foreign oil companies and begins a broader state takeover of oil revenues

Gaddafi assumes the office of Prime Minister while chairing the Revolutionary Command Council.

The last United States forces leave Wheelus Air Base under the revolutionary government.

Gaddafi's government secures higher prices and improved revenue terms from foreign oil companies.

Gaddafi seeks a wider Arab leadership role following the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser.

The government orders remaining Italian settlers to leave and confiscates their property.

Gaddafi establishes the Arab Socialist Union as the republic's authorised political organisation.

Libya nationalises British Petroleum interests following a dispute with the British government.

Revolutionary Command Council members replace many civilian ministers and tighten control over government.

Gaddafi promotes political union among Arab states despite disagreement over practical arrangements.

The Revolutionary Command Council expands its direct representation within Libya's cabinet.

Libya joins Egypt and Syria in the Federation of Arab Republics.

Gaddafi's government asserts sovereignty over the Aouzou Strip during its dispute with Chad.

Libyan forces occupy the disputed Aouzou Strip along the northern border of Chad.

Gaddafi calls for popular committees, legal revision and ideological mobilisation throughout Libya.

Gaddafi proclaims a Popular Revolution intended to transform administration, law and political participation.

Libya takes majority ownership in the operations of several foreign oil companies.

Gaddafi and Habib Bourguiba announce a proposed union between Libya and Tunisia.

Gaddafi publishes the first volume of The Green Book outlining his political doctrine.

Gaddafi develops the mass-state concept later used to reorganise Libya's political system.

A coup attempt involving Revolutionary Command Council member Omar Muhayshi fails.

The failed coup weakens internal opposition and leads to a purge of dissident officers.

The government expands people's committees within workplaces, universities and public administration.

Gaddafi supplies assistance to FROLINAT rebels while pursuing Libyan territorial claims in Chad.

Local popular congresses become the stated foundation of Libya's new governmental structure.

The General People's Congress adopts the declaration reorganising Libya as a Jamahiriya.

The Jamahiriya formally assigns local decision-making to basic popular congresses.

The General People's Congress becomes the highest formal institution of the new Jamahiriya.

Gaddafi becomes secretary-general of the institution coordinating the Jamahiriya's formal state bodies.

Gaddafi proclaims the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya as a mass-state.

Informal revolutionary institutions retain decisive authority over the formal people's congress system.

Musa al-Sadr and two companions disappear during an official visit to Libya.

Gaddafi leaves the General People's Congress secretariat while retaining revolutionary authority.

Revolutionary committees pursue and attack prominent Libyan opponents living outside the country.

Gaddafi orders dissidents abroad to return by June or face revolutionary punishment.

United States aircraft shoot down two Libyan fighters during naval exercises.

The United States invalidates passports for travel to Libya amid worsening bilateral relations.

Washington prohibits Libyan oil imports and restricts strategic exports to Libya.

The United States bans Libyan oil imports and exports of oil-industry technology.

A shot from the Libyan diplomatic mission kills police officer Yvonne Fletcher during a protest.

Gaddafi publicly defends the organisations blamed for the deadly Rome airport attack.

Gaddafi praises militants after coordinated violence at Vienna airport.

Gaddafi maintains that the Gulf of Sidra south of his declared line forms Libyan waters.

The United States imposes broad economic sanctions against Libya over alleged support for terrorism.

United States and Libyan forces clash over Libya's maritime claim in the Gulf of Sidra.

The United States accuses Libya of directing the bombing of the La Belle discotheque.

The United States attacks Libyan facilities after linking the government to international terrorism.

United States aircraft strike military targets around Benghazi during Operation El Dorado Canyon.

Gaddafi survives United States air strikes on Tripoli during Operation El Dorado Canyon.

Government record concerning the IRA: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.

Historical IRA record under Government of Libya: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.

IRA context for Muammar Gaddafi: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.

Government record concerning the IRA: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.

Historical IRA record under Government of Libya: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.

IRA context for Muammar Gaddafi: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.

The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.

French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.

Libya proclaims a rights charter presented as limiting arbitrary punishment and state interference.

Pan Am Flight 103 is destroyed over Lockerbie, later leading to accusations against Libyan officials.

United States aircraft shoot down two Libyan MiG-23 fighters over the Mediterranean.

United States and British authorities indict two Libyan intelligence officers over Lockerbie.

The Security Council imposes sanctions after Libya refuses to surrender the Lockerbie suspects.

The Security Council tightens financial and aviation sanctions against Libya.

The International Court of Justice rules that the Aouzou Strip belongs to Chad.

Libyan forces complete their withdrawal following the international court judgment.

Libya transfers the two Lockerbie suspects for trial before a Scottish court.

United Nations sanctions are suspended after Libya surrenders the Lockerbie suspects.

African leaders adopt the Sirte Declaration proposing creation of the African Union.

A Scottish court convicts Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits Lamin Khalifah Fhimah.

Libya condemns the attacks and offers cooperation against Al-Qaeda.

Gaddafi uses counterterrorism cooperation to pursue improved relations with Western governments.

Libya accepts responsibility for officials' actions in the Lockerbie bombing and agrees compensation.

The Security Council formally lifts sanctions imposed over the Lockerbie dispute.

Libya agrees to permit international inspection and dismantlement of prohibited weapons activities.

Libya discloses uranium-enrichment equipment acquired through an international procurement network.

Gaddafi announces that Libya will eliminate its nuclear and chemical weapons programmes.

Libyan officials provide information about foreign suppliers involved in nuclear procurement.

Investigators identify Pakistani-linked technology supplied to Libya's former nuclear programme.

The Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force for Libya.

The Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force for Libya following its accession the previous month.

Libya submits its initial chemical-weapons declaration to the OPCW.

Gaddafi meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair during Libya's diplomatic rehabilitation.

Human-rights campaigners seek accountability for deaths during disturbances in Benghazi.

The Libyan League for Human Rights requests an independent inquiry into Benghazi unrest.

Washington begins the process of removing Libya from its state sponsors of terrorism list.

The United States announces restored diplomatic relations and removal of Libya's terrorism designation.

Gaddafi urges supporters to confront opponents demanding political change.

Gaddafi receives President Nicolas Sarkozy and concludes bilateral cooperation agreements.

Gaddafi proposes distributing oil revenue directly while abolishing most government ministries.

Lebanese authorities indict Gaddafi over the disappearance of Musa al-Sadr and two companions.

African leaders elect Gaddafi chairman of the African Union for a one-year term.

Demonstrations against the government begin after the arrest of a human-rights lawyer.

Gaddafi vows to remain in Libya and suppress the expanding uprising.

The Security Council imposes an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes.

NATO assumes command of international military operations enforcing the United Nations mandate.

Gaddafi is captured and killed as transitional forces take his final stronghold.

Death of Muammar Gaddafi