History of Libyan politics under Gaddafi Politics of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi

for first 7 years following 1969 revolution, colonel gaddafi , 12 fellow army officers, revolutionary command council, began complete overhaul of libya s political system, society, , economy. on 2 march 1977, gaddafi convened general people s congress (gpc) proclaim establishment of people s power, change country s name socialist people s libyan arab jamahiriya, , vest, theoretically, primary authority in gpc.

gaddafi remained de facto chief of state , secretary general of gpc until 1980, when gave office. continued control aspects of libyan government through direct appeals masses, pervasive security apparatus, , powerful revolutionary committees. although held no formal office, gaddafi exercised absolute power assistance of small group of trusted advisers, included relatives home base in sirte region, lies between rival provinces of tripolitania , cyrenaica.

during rule, gaddafi took increasing control of government, attempted achieve greater popular participation in local government. in 1973, announced start of cultural revolution in schools, businesses, industries, , public institutions oversee administration of organizations in public interest. march 1977 establishment of people s power —with mandatory popular participation in selection of representatives gpc— culmination of process.

in 1980s, competition grew between official libyan government , military hierarchies , revolutionary committees. abortive coup attempt in may 1984 apparently mounted libyan exiles internal support, led short-lived reign of terror in thousands imprisoned , interrogated. unknown number executed. gaddafi used revolutionary committees search out alleged internal opponents following coup attempt, thereby accelerating rise of more radical elements inside libyan power hierarchy.

after 1986 bombing of libya united states air force, gaddafi decreed word great should appended beginning of name, rendering official name al jumahiriyah al arabiyah al libiyah ash shabiyah al ishtirakiyah al uzma, or great socialist people s libyan arab jamahiriya.

in 1988, faced rising public dissatisfaction shortages in consumer goods , setbacks in libya s war chad, gaddafi began curb power of revolutionary committees , institute domestic reforms. regime released many political prisoners , eased restrictions on foreign travel libyans. private businesses again permitted operate.

around same time, gaddafi began pursue anti-fundamentalist islamic policy domestically, viewing fundamentalism potential rallying point opponents of regime. ministerial positions , military commanders shuffled or placed under temporary house arrest diffuse potential threats gaddafi s authority.

despite these measures, internal dissent continued. gaddafi s security forces launched preemptive strike @ alleged coup plotters in military , among warfalla tribe in october 1993. widespread arrests , government reshufflings followed, accompanied public confessions regime opponents , allegations of torture , executions. military, once gaddafi s strongest supporters, became potential threat in 1990s. in 1993, following failed coup attempt implicated senior military officers, gaddafi began purge military periodically, eliminating potential rivals , inserting own loyal followers in place.