General Information• Libya is an oil rich nation with one of the highest

GDP per capita in Africa

• The nation is 90% desert with very little arable land

• Like Canada 90% of the people live within 10% of the geographical area

• It is an urban nation with a population of 5.8 million and contains a small nomadic population

• Languages spoken are: Arabic, Berber, Italian, French, and English

• 97% of the nation is Muslim, the majority being Sunnis.

LibyaLibyaA Historical A Historical PerspectivePerspective

* Ruled by Ottoman empire

* The Italian invasion – King Idris

* British and French controlled regions

* Libya: Constitutional and hereditary monarchy

* Oil reserves discovered in 1959 resulting in booming growth for what was then a very poor country

* Resentment slowly grew as oil wealth became concentrated into the hands of the monarchy

* On September 1st, 1969 revolutionary armed forces under 28 year old Qaddafi staged a bloodless coup against King Idris’snephew Hassan ar-Rida while King Idris was in Turkey for treatment

* The monarchy was abolished, its members put under house arrest and Libya was declared a New Libyan Arab Republic

The Child Revolutionary

Fast FactsFast Facts

• Born 1942, exact date unknown• Father Mohammed Abdel Salam ben

Hamed ben Mohammed• Youngest child• 3 sisters, oldest named Khadija• Stepped on a land mine outside tent• 8 years old when Libya achieves

independence

Bedouin LifeBedouin Life

SchoolSchool

• 1951: Sirte Primary • 1959: Sebha Prep.• 1961: Sirte Second.• 1963: Benghazi

University and Military Academy

• 1966: Study radio in Britain

Revolution BABY!!Revolution BABY!!

• 4 different plans, last one successful

• Umm Kalthoum’s concert killed the first plan (she truly was loved everywhere)

• King left town, killed second

• Sense of doom killed third• Fourth SUCCESS!

Picture LinksPicture Links

• www.damer.com/pictures/travels/egypt/index.htm

• http://www.negevjeep.co.il/english/bedouin.html

• http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~melmoth/RTW/tunisia.html

• http://www.arava.co.il/english/tourism/arava-tourism.htm

MiLiTaryMiLiTary ManMan

““nations whose nationalism is destroyed are nations whose nationalism is destroyed are destined to ruindestined to ruin””

-- Muammar QaddafiMuammar Qaddafi

Setting the sceneSetting the scene

Late 1950sLate 1950s--early 1960s:early 1960s:

--Egyptian influence Egyptian influence

--Corrupt regime of King Corrupt regime of King IdrisIdris II

--Military and underground Military and underground revolutionary thought begin to growrevolutionary thought begin to grow

--During the early 1950s, Libya was During the early 1950s, Libya was stricken with poverty until. . . stricken with poverty until. . .

$$Oil$$$$Oil$$Oil was discovered in 1959Oil was discovered in 1959The already corrupt The already corrupt IdrisIdris regime, now had new regime, now had new resources to fuel their excessive lifestyles and resources to fuel their excessive lifestyles and extensive corruptionextensive corruptionBy the midBy the mid--1960s, Libya was one of the world1960s, Libya was one of the world’’s s largest oil supplierslargest oil suppliers

Egyptian influenceEgyptian influence

Schooling in Schooling in SebhaSebha-- Qaddafi and other studentsQaddafi and other studentsGamelGamel AbdelAbdel NasserNasser’’s book s book Philosophy of the Philosophy of the RevolutionRevolution was inspiration for Qaddafiwas inspiration for QaddafiIn it, Nasser wrote of an In it, Nasser wrote of an ““army officers clubarmy officers club””and the overthrow of the Egyptian monarchy in and the overthrow of the Egyptian monarchy in 19521952

Revolutionary in Revolutionary in trainingtraining

During his schooling in During his schooling in SebhaSebha, Qaddafi attracted , Qaddafi attracted followers followers His His ““overt political activityovert political activity”” i.ei.e::

--making speechesmaking speeches--promoting activismpromoting activism……

Eventually led Qaddafi to be expelledEventually led Qaddafi to be expelledHis followers were forbidden to drink, play cards, or His followers were forbidden to drink, play cards, or interact with women, they were only to study and pray interact with women, they were only to study and pray and it was mandatory for them to attend his political and it was mandatory for them to attend his political meetingsmeetings

Beginnings of a legendBeginnings of a legend

Royal Libyan Military Academy in Benghazi Royal Libyan Military Academy in Benghazi Royal Military Academy Royal Military Academy SandhurstSandhurstStudied military Studied military signallingsignalling,,

automotive maintenance andautomotive maintenance andarmouredarmoured vehicle gunneryvehicle gunnery

Qaddafi returned a commissioned officer in the Qaddafi returned a commissioned officer in the Signal CorpsSignal Corps

Libya: Up for grabsLibya: Up for grabs

1969: Qaddafi returns from training in Britain1969: Qaddafi returns from training in BritainKing King IdrisIdris is weak with illness, is weak with illness, rumoursrumoursabounded that he was prepared to abdicateabounded that he was prepared to abdicateQaddafi begins to gather his (loyal) followers Qaddafi begins to gather his (loyal) followers with the help of his military training:with the help of his military training:

he used radio and simple cryptosystems to he used radio and simple cryptosystems to communicate with the various cells he had communicate with the various cells he had established in Libyaestablished in Libya

““operation Jerusalemoperation Jerusalem””

September 1September 1stst, 1969, 1969Coup began at 2:30 a.m. and in less than two Coup began at 2:30 a.m. and in less than two hours the key military and government hours the key military and government establishments in both Benghazi and Tripoli establishments in both Benghazi and Tripoli were simultaneously taken over were simultaneously taken over By 6:00 a.m. Qaddafi arrived at the Benghazi By 6:00 a.m. Qaddafi arrived at the Benghazi radio station and delivered radio station and delivered ““CommuniqueCommunique OneOne””

--this speech basically let the Libyan people this speech basically let the Libyan people know that Libya was under new leadershipknow that Libya was under new leadership

The Libyan Arab The Libyan Arab republicrepublic

Qaddafi proclaimed Libya the new Libyan Arab Qaddafi proclaimed Libya the new Libyan Arab Republic (Republic (alal--JamahariyaJamahariya alal--ArabiyaArabiya alal--LibyahLibyah))September 1September 1stst was proclaimed a national holiday: was proclaimed a national holiday: ““Revolution DayRevolution Day””Qaddafi becomes known as Qaddafi becomes known as ““Brother Leader and Guide of Brother Leader and Guide of the Revolutionthe Revolution”” (this is now his official title)(this is now his official title)Qaddafi promoted from captain to colonelQaddafi promoted from captain to colonel-- the rank the rank that he has maintained for 37 yearsthat he has maintained for 37 yearsLibyaLibya’’s name was changed once again in 1977 to The s name was changed once again in 1977 to The Socialist PeopleSocialist People’’s Libyan Arab s Libyan Arab JamahariyaJamahariya ((alal--JamahariyaJamahariyaalal--ArabiyaArabiya alal--LibyahLibyah ashash--ShabiyaShabiya alal--IshtrakiaIshtrakia))

Ideology manIdeology man

Keep in mind that QaddafiKeep in mind that Qaddafi’’s main motivation s main motivation for almost of all his military actions were for a for almost of all his military actions were for a united Arab world: united Arab world:

““We are calling for Arab unity. We are not calling only for We are calling for Arab unity. We are not calling only for Islamic unity in the Arab world. When we say we want Islamic unity in the Arab world. When we say we want Arab unity, it means all the Muslims and Christians Arab unity, it means all the Muslims and Christians are involved in the struggle for this unity.are involved in the struggle for this unity.””

-- Muammar QaddafiMuammar Qaddafi

QaddafiQaddafi’’s s DisappointmentDisappointment

Clearly a united Arab world has not been Clearly a united Arab world has not been achieved and Qaddafi describes why he believes achieved and Qaddafi describes why he believes it has failed,it has failed,

““Our problem here in the September First Revolution is Our problem here in the September First Revolution is that soldiers do not existthat soldiers do not exist……You can say we have ideas, You can say we have ideas, but we do not have soldiers. Probably we have writers but we do not have soldiers. Probably we have writers without readers. There is an idea, a revolution, a theory, without readers. There is an idea, a revolution, a theory, but there are no soldiersbut there are no soldiers……

““We can conclude that one of the causes of the We can conclude that one of the causes of the ArabsArabs’’ failure is the lack of belief or faithfailure is the lack of belief or faith””

--Muammar QaddafiMuammar Qaddafi

The The amazonianamazonian guardguard

All female, all African guard consisting of 40 womenAll female, all African guard consisting of 40 womenExtremely mysterious! Qaddafi does not like to talk about his alExtremely mysterious! Qaddafi does not like to talk about his alll--female guard, and prefers they are not photographed. female guard, and prefers they are not photographed.

““Qaddafi surrounds himself with handpicked female bodyguards to fQaddafi surrounds himself with handpicked female bodyguards to foil such oil such attacks. All of them swear an oath that they will give their livattacks. All of them swear an oath that they will give their lives for him. es for him. They never leave his side, night or day, and he insists they remThey never leave his side, night or day, and he insists they remain virgins. ain virgins. There is no shortage of volunteers for what is seen as a prestigThere is no shortage of volunteers for what is seen as a prestigious job. A ious job. A special training college puts recruits through a tough program. special training college puts recruits through a tough program. Girls who Girls who dondon’’t drop out emerge as trained killers, experts with firearms and t drop out emerge as trained killers, experts with firearms and martial martial arts. Qaddafi makes the final selection and despite the virginalarts. Qaddafi makes the final selection and despite the virginal tag, tag, rumoursrumoursabound that he demands their sexual abound that he demands their sexual favoursfavours..””

What Is What Is Terrorism?Terrorism?Terrorism: The unlawful use or Terrorism: The unlawful use or

threatened use of force or violence by threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group a person or an organized group

against people or property with the against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for societies or governments, often for

ideological or political reasons.ideological or political reasons.Oxford Dictionary..Oxford Dictionary..

So What does A So What does A Terrorist Look Terrorist Look

Like????Like????

Are They Terrorists??.....Are They Terrorists??.....

What About these guys?What About these guys?

OkOk……Now How About These Now How About These Guys?.....Guys?.....

Still ConfusedStill Confused……Okay Lets simplify it. Okay Lets simplify it. Once upon a time. there was an actor Once upon a time. there was an actor

who had political dreams on his mindwho had political dreams on his mind……..……..

And That Dream Came And That Dream Came TrueTrue……When These People Voted When These People Voted

for Himfor Him……..

In 1981In 1981……The World Also Saw The The World Also Saw The Birth OfBirth Of……..

But more importantly But more importantly …….The Actor .The Actor from California Became the 40from California Became the 40thth

President of AmericaPresident of America……

President Ronald Reagan President Ronald Reagan now found himself in a sticky now found himself in a sticky

situationsituation…….Faced with an .Faced with an aids epidemic and a aids epidemic and a

dwindling economydwindling economy…….He .He Decided to Distract His Decided to Distract His

People By Going After This People By Going After This guyguy…………....

Muammar Muammar GhaddafiGhaddafi……..

ReaganReagan’’s Case Against s Case Against GhaddafiGhaddafi

Berlin Disco Bombing in 1986Berlin Disco Bombing in 1986Lockerbie Bombing In 1988 Lockerbie Bombing In 1988 GhaddafiGhaddafi And His relationship with the And His relationship with the Palestinian AuthoritiesPalestinian Authorities……

Berlin La Belle Disco Club Berlin La Belle Disco Club BombingBombing……

La Belle Disco night La Belle Disco night club was located in club was located in West BerlinWest Berlin……Frequented by U.S Frequented by U.S armed forces armed forces personnelpersonnel……Killed 2 U.S Killed 2 U.S servicemen and a servicemen and a Turkish womenTurkish women

Reagan RespondsReagan Responds

Libya was blamed for the bombing after Libya was blamed for the bombing after telephone messages had been intercepted telephone messages had been intercepted from Libya's from Libya's East BerlinEast Berlin embassyembassy..U.S. President U.S. President Ronald ReaRonald Reagan retaliated gan retaliated by ordering air strikes against the Libyan by ordering air strikes against the Libyan capital of capital of TripoliTripoli and city of and city of BenghaziBenghazi.. .. This was Known as This was Known as Operation El Canyon.Operation El Canyon.This operation was condemned by the This operation was condemned by the international communityinternational community……

Operation El Dorado CanyonOperation El Dorado Canyon……

After several days of diplomatic talks with After several days of diplomatic talks with European and Arab partners, European and Arab partners, President President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan ordered the strike on ordered the strike on Libya on Libya on April 14April 14 1986.1986.GhaddafiGhaddafi’’ss 15 month year old adopted 15 month year old adopted daughter was killeddaughter was killed……In all 15 civilians were killed and a In all 15 civilians were killed and a unknown number of Libyan Servicemenunknown number of Libyan Servicemen……

Meanwhile While Meanwhile While Reagan was Reagan was

implementing justice by implementing justice by retaliating against a retaliating against a

““terroristterrorist”” statestate……

The IranThe Iran--Contra ScandalContra Scandal

So what does this mean?So what does this mean?

60,000 Nicaraguan civilians killed by 60,000 Nicaraguan civilians killed by Regan backed ContrasRegan backed Contras……..22 Libyan Civilians killed by Us air strikes.22 Libyan Civilians killed by Us air strikes.Un documented number of Un documented number of libyanlibyan military military casualitiescasualities....All this perpetrated by a Reagan a self All this perpetrated by a Reagan a self professed defender of human rightsprofessed defender of human rights……

So Which of these men is Guilty of So Which of these men is Guilty of Terrorism? Or both? Terrorism? Or both?

Lockerbie BombingsLockerbie Bombings……

Pan Am Flight 103 747 Pan Am Flight 103 747 Jet destroyed midair as Jet destroyed midair as it flew over Lockerbie, it flew over Lockerbie, Scotland..Scotland..Death toll 270, 189 Death toll 270, 189 victims were victims were americansamericans..Victims from 22 Victims from 22 countries and 11 were countries and 11 were natives of Scotlandnatives of Scotland

GhaddafiGhaddafi and his Relationship with and his Relationship with ““TerroristTerrorist”” Organizations..Organizations..……

GhaddafiGhaddafi sayssays……..

"Man"Man’’s freedom is lacking if somebody s freedom is lacking if somebody else controls what he needs, for need may else controls what he needs, for need may result in manresult in man’’s enslavement of man.s enslavement of man.““““Irrespective of the conflict with America, it Irrespective of the conflict with America, it is a human duty to show sympathy with is a human duty to show sympathy with the American people and be with them at the American people and be with them at these horrifying and awesome events these horrifying and awesome events which are bound to awaken human which are bound to awaken human conscience." Regarding September 11conscience." Regarding September 11

The The ArabArab LibyaLibya

A modest vision into the futureA modest vision into the future

Libya: A Model Arab CountryLibya: A Model Arab Country

Country name:Country name:

Great Socialist PeopleGreat Socialist People’’ssLibyan Libyan ARABARAB JamahiriyaJamahiriya

Arab Qathafi TimelineArab Qathafi TimelineCoupCoupDirect, popular democracyDirect, popular democracyPan Arabism Pan Arabism ––Jamal AbdulNaserJamal AbdulNaserFederation of Arab RepublicsFederation of Arab RepublicsTulibsTulibsPLOPLOGear shiftingGear shifting––in Reversein ReverseThe Gulf The Gulf –– as perceivedas perceivedby Qathafi by Qathafi ☺☺

WITH HIS BEST FRIENDS AT THE A.U

SO STYLISH

1. the removal of foreign military bases2. international neutrality3. national unity4. suppression of political parties5. Arab unity

VOICE OF AFRICA??

HOLY ….. HOLY. ….. HOLLLLY!

BFF

• President Assad with Idi Amin, AnwarSadat and Col Muammar Gaddafi

Mark Kukis’ Calculations

Number of dead * $26,775 * 4

____________________

2

= $35.4 billion

Ghaddafi was anti-western until very recently

Socialist themes in Green Book

Persecution of communists

His anti-western politics were in line with Soviet goals, but relations were strained

Libyans used Soviet weapons and jets bought with oil revenues

Libya occupied the Aouzou strip in 1975 and pushed south in 1980

Intermittent fighting up until 1987

France supported Chad, military presence remains today

Territorial disputes

1981 and 1989

Engagements between jet fighters over the Gulf of Sidra

“Operation El Dorado Canyon”, 1986

A response to state sponsored terrorism

International condemnation

“War on Terror”

Lorence and Ribas-Dominicci

Lionel Ritchie

Increased Cold War tensions

Terrorism

Israel-Palestine

Iran

Terrorism

Oil

Tough talk

Ghaddafi became increasingly moderate in the 1990’s

Chemical weapons

Opposition to al-Qaeda

Compensation for Lockerbie

Libya as the chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission

Libya: Libya: Pros and Cons of Pros and Cons of QaddafiQaddafi’’s Governances Governance

chadi

QaddafiQaddafi’’s positive effectss positive effectsLibya over an 80% literacy rate and education is compulsory and free until secondary levelThe Green Book and its subsequent laws guarantee women’s rights in government participation and outlaw discrimination of women in the work forceThere is a 1:8 ratio for teachers to studentsWhile before Qaddafi 17% of students were girls, the figure now is well above 50% and 70% of university students are women. During the reign of Qaddafi universities within the nation went from two to nine along with 84 vocational institutions The number of post-secondary students went from 13,500 to an estimated 275,000 from 1975 to 2004.

Positive EffectsThe GDP growth of Libya is approximately 9% making it one of the highest in the world. Approximately 40% to 50% of the Libyan budget is allocated towards educationAccording to principles in Qaddafi’s Green Book, the idea of renting a residence was abolished and houses are now all owned. In fields of housing and education Libya surpasses its African neighbors greatly with almost no existence of absolute povertyMandatory wearing of religious coverings or religious practices do not exist as is the case with other Arab nations. Relative religious freedom in the sense of expression exists.With a few exceptions women fare much better in Libya than most other Arab states in regards to human rights.

Toxic Effects of Qaddafi’s governance

The media and press are restricted and can only be approved through the Revolutionary Council set up by Qaddafi

The media outlet is arguably the most restricted throughout the Arab worldIn regards to human freedoms many human development indexes have rated it as one of the worst in the world, comparable to that of North Korea. Political opposition is hunted down openly and many expatriate opponents of Qaddafi have mysteriously died outside of Libya and Libyan nationals have been executed.

There is a very young population with high unemployment ratesA large prisoner population exists along with illegal detentionsand the right for a fair trial is forbiddenLabor rights for foreign workers are extremely restricted and foreigners face much discrimination

Bananas?Though religious freedoms are encouraged there have been many instances of the execution of religious leaders opposed to Qaddafi. Along with political parties, any nongovernmental organization is not allowed to operate to address key issues Women who violate moral codes are sentenced to centers for “rehabilitation”Libyan citizens cannot spend more than three years outside of Libya and exiles that violate this are tracked down if suspected of anti-governmental activities. He has openly financially and militaristically supported vicious dictators and warlords in Guinea and Liberia which has up until recently tainted Libya as a “haven for terrorists” to the West and has caused increasing resentment of its West African neighbors. Recently however, he has openly destroyed alleged weapons of mass destruction in his own country as an act of good will and has improved trade relations with the world and giving Libya a picture of progressive thinking.

Weird Facts

SUGOI QATHAFI

Qathafi