Expanded United States Trade Restrictions
Washington prohibits Libyan oil imports and restricts strategic exports to Libya.
Role range: 1979-2011
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Muammar Gaddafi Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Muammar Gaddafi through 100 dated historical records for Libya.
Muammar Gaddafi, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
100Distinct records
2 of 3Page
1982–2004Years on this page
1982
United States Oil Embargo
The United States bans Libyan oil imports and exports of oil-industry technology.
Role range: 1979-2011
1984
Yvonne Fletcher Shooting
A shot from the Libyan diplomatic mission kills police officer Yvonne Fletcher during a protest.
Role range: 1979-2011
1985
Rome Airport Attack Response
Gaddafi publicly defends the organisations blamed for the deadly Rome airport attack.
Role range: 1979-2011
Vienna Airport Attack Response
Gaddafi praises militants after coordinated violence at Vienna airport.
Role range: 1979-2011
1986
United States Economic Sanctions
The United States imposes broad economic sanctions against Libya over alleged support for terrorism.
Role range: 1979-2011
Gulf of Sidra Clash
United States and Libyan forces clash over Libya's maritime claim in the Gulf of Sidra.
Role range: 1979-2011
Berlin Discotheque Bombing Allegation
The United States accuses Libya of directing the bombing of the La Belle discotheque.
Role range: 1979-2011
Operation El Dorado Canyon
The United States attacks Libyan facilities after linking the government to international terrorism.
Role range: 1979-2011
United States Bombing of Benghazi
United States aircraft strike military targets around Benghazi during Operation El Dorado Canyon.
Role range: 1979-2011
United States Bombing of Tripoli
Gaddafi survives United States air strikes on Tripoli during Operation El Dorado Canyon.
Role range: 1979-2011
Gulf of Sidra Territorial Claim
Gaddafi maintains that the Gulf of Sidra south of his declared line forms Libyan waters.
Role range: 1979-2011
1987
IRA - Libyan Arms for IRA
Government record concerning the IRA: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
IRA - Libyan Arms for IRA
Historical IRA record under Government of Libya: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
IRA - Libyan Arms for IRA
IRA context for Muammar Gaddafi: The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
IRA - MV Eksund Intercepted
Government record concerning the IRA: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
IRA - MV Eksund Intercepted
Historical IRA record under Government of Libya: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
IRA - MV Eksund Intercepted
IRA context for Muammar Gaddafi: French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
Libyan Arms for IRA
The Eksund seizure exposes extensive Libyan supply of weapons and explosives to the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
MV Eksund Intercepted
French authorities intercept the Eksund carrying a major Libyan arms shipment for the IRA.
Role range: 1979-2011
1988
Great Green Charter
Libya proclaims a rights charter presented as limiting arbitrary punishment and state interference.
Role range: 1979-2011
Lockerbie Bombing
Pan Am Flight 103 is destroyed over Lockerbie, later leading to accusations against Libyan officials.
Role range: 1979-2011
1989
Second Gulf of Sidra Air Clash
United States aircraft shoot down two Libyan MiG-23 fighters over the Mediterranean.
Role range: 1979-2011
1991
Lockerbie Suspects Indicted
United States and British authorities indict two Libyan intelligence officers over Lockerbie.
Role range: 1979-2011
1992
United Nations Resolution 748 Sanctions
The Security Council imposes sanctions after Libya refuses to surrender the Lockerbie suspects.
Role range: 1979-2011
1993
United Nations Resolution 883 Sanctions
The Security Council tightens financial and aviation sanctions against Libya.
Role range: 1979-2011
1994
International Court Aouzou Judgment
The International Court of Justice rules that the Aouzou Strip belongs to Chad.
Role range: 1979-2011
Withdrawal from Aouzou Strip
Libyan forces complete their withdrawal following the international court judgment.
Role range: 1979-2011
1999
Lockerbie Suspects Surrendered
Libya transfers the two Lockerbie suspects for trial before a Scottish court.
Role range: 1979-2011
United Nations Sanctions Suspended
United Nations sanctions are suspended after Libya surrenders the Lockerbie suspects.
Role range: 1979-2011
Sirte Declaration
African leaders adopt the Sirte Declaration proposing creation of the African Union.
Role range: 1979-2011
2001
Lockerbie Trial Conviction
A Scottish court convicts Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and acquits Lamin Khalifah Fhimah.
Role range: 1979-2011
Counterterrorism Cooperation after September Attacks
Libya condemns the attacks and offers cooperation against Al-Qaeda.
Role range: 1979-2011
Diplomatic Opening after September Attacks
Gaddafi uses counterterrorism cooperation to pursue improved relations with Western governments.
Role range: 1979-2011
2003
Lockerbie Responsibility Accepted
Libya accepts responsibility for officials' actions in the Lockerbie bombing and agrees compensation.
Role range: 1979-2011
United Nations Sanctions Lifted
The Security Council formally lifts sanctions imposed over the Lockerbie dispute.
Role range: 1979-2011
International Weapons Inspections Accepted
Libya agrees to permit international inspection and dismantlement of prohibited weapons activities.
Role range: 1979-2011
Nuclear Programme Disclosure
Libya discloses uranium-enrichment equipment acquired through an international procurement network.
Role range: 1979-2011
Renunciation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Gaddafi announces that Libya will eliminate its nuclear and chemical weapons programmes.
Role range: 1979-2011
2004
Cooperation with Nuclear Investigation
Libyan officials provide information about foreign suppliers involved in nuclear procurement.
Role range: 1979-2011
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.